By John Gaudiosi
Reuters
Thursday, July 8, 2010; 6:30 PM
RALEIGH, North Carolina (Reuters Life!) - Ever since Nintendo launched the Wii, gamers have been interacting with characters and working out with virtual trainers in titles like Electronic Arts' "EA Sports Active" or Ubisoft's "Your Shape."
Nintendo is even encouraging families to exercise together with "Wii Games: Summer 2010," a national tour that kicks off in Jersey City, New Jersey on July 16 with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson serving as an ambassador for the competition.
Now researchers, scientists and game developers are using Nintendo's console for many other health-oriented applications, and in some cases are getting millions of dollars in grants to dream up new technologies.
A recent gathering of over 400 top minds at the sixth annual Games for Health Conference in Boston found innovative new ways that video games with motion-sensor controllers are being used to help doctors and patients.
Through a grant from the National Institute of Health, Red Hill Games and the School of Nursing at the University of California San Francisco are using Wii technology to create games that help people with Parkinson's disease improve their balance. One called "Rail Runner" requires patients to stand up and sit down to operate an old-fashioned railroad hand cart.
"Most of these patients are in their 70s and 80s, and they really love these games," said Bob Hone, creative director at Red Hill Studios. "They really want something that's going to address their disease, and what's different is these games are designed specifically for them."
Red Hill is incorporating similar Wii technology into games to help improve gait and balance in kids with Cerebral Palsy.
"These kids sometimes have physical challenges, so we've taken that into account to make games where they feel like they're walking and they get to the finish line successfully," said Hone.
Showing posts with label Nintendo Wii. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nintendo Wii. Show all posts
31 May 2010
Teens turn Wii remote into physical therapy tool
BY LESLIE BIXLER • Staff writer • May 13, 2010
Andrew Nichelson, a student at Ross High School, and Tiffin Columbian students Seth Sholl and Cody Semer came up with the idea as a senior project for the Tech Center's Computer Communications Network Technician program.
"We modified a Wii mote and turned it into a mouse," Sholl said, adding that they added Velcro straps to secure it to a person's wrist.
Originally, the teens thought to create a variant of a data glove used for gaming. But they turned it into a medical device after talking to Sholl's father, a physical therapist. Sholl said it ended up being more convenient and less expensive to go that route.
Semer said they connect the Wii remote to a computer through Bluetooth signals. The signals are emulated as mouse movements on the screen. He said the program is almost like a game, but tests a person's movement capabilities.
"We're hoping people can use this at home, and the program could send information to an occupational therapist," Semer said.
This would help people with cerebral palsy and people who have had a stroke, the students said. It could also help slow down muscular sclerosis.
"We incorporated three dimensions with the project to test depth perception and ataxic cerebral palsy," Sholl said.
Semer said the project is still not complete.
"We had the project done for state (competition), but we're thinking about taking it further," he said.
They worked with Floyd Collins, their instructor; Terry Ritchie, another instructor; an instructor at Terra Community College; and an occupational therapist at Bellevue Hospital.
They also credit fellow students for help.
"They worked very hard on this project, and we came into the school on weekends while other students where home relaxing and enjoying the weekend," Collins said. "The biggest hurdle for the team was overcoming their fears of presenting the project to the judges.
"They learned more from this project than can be taught from books or the classroom. They learned what it is to be a team and working for a common goal, relying on each other's strengths and overcoming their weaknesses. I am very proud of each of them, and I hope they take what they learned from this and keep going."
Last month, the teens went to Columbus for a business and technology competition and took third place for their project.
They were the first team from the Tech Center in the Tech Prep Showcase in March at Terra Community College.
Andrew Nichelson, a student at Ross High School, and Tiffin Columbian students Seth Sholl and Cody Semer came up with the idea as a senior project for the Tech Center's Computer Communications Network Technician program.
"We modified a Wii mote and turned it into a mouse," Sholl said, adding that they added Velcro straps to secure it to a person's wrist.
Originally, the teens thought to create a variant of a data glove used for gaming. But they turned it into a medical device after talking to Sholl's father, a physical therapist. Sholl said it ended up being more convenient and less expensive to go that route.
Semer said they connect the Wii remote to a computer through Bluetooth signals. The signals are emulated as mouse movements on the screen. He said the program is almost like a game, but tests a person's movement capabilities.
"We're hoping people can use this at home, and the program could send information to an occupational therapist," Semer said.
This would help people with cerebral palsy and people who have had a stroke, the students said. It could also help slow down muscular sclerosis.
"We incorporated three dimensions with the project to test depth perception and ataxic cerebral palsy," Sholl said.
Semer said the project is still not complete.
"We had the project done for state (competition), but we're thinking about taking it further," he said.
They worked with Floyd Collins, their instructor; Terry Ritchie, another instructor; an instructor at Terra Community College; and an occupational therapist at Bellevue Hospital.
They also credit fellow students for help.
"They worked very hard on this project, and we came into the school on weekends while other students where home relaxing and enjoying the weekend," Collins said. "The biggest hurdle for the team was overcoming their fears of presenting the project to the judges.
"They learned more from this project than can be taught from books or the classroom. They learned what it is to be a team and working for a common goal, relying on each other's strengths and overcoming their weaknesses. I am very proud of each of them, and I hope they take what they learned from this and keep going."
Last month, the teens went to Columbus for a business and technology competition and took third place for their project.
They were the first team from the Tech Center in the Tech Prep Showcase in March at Terra Community College.
30 April 2010
Therapeutic Uses of a Nintendo Wii
By Bryan Cohen, eHow Contributing Writer
The Nintendo Wii brings physical activity to gaming.The Nintendo Wii gaming system was released in late 2006. With the creation of the WiiFit companion and the balance board, Nintendo has embraced the public's use of the console for weight management and exercise. The Wii has found its way into retirement homes, hospitals and physical training offices throughout the world as a new way to meld entertainment and therapy.
For Seniors
In Anaheim, the VIP Adult Day Health Care Center holds Wii gaming sessions twice a month. After just three months, the employees noticed that the seniors who attended had improved their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Feedback from the patients was so positive that Dennis Miyadi, the occupational therapist in charge of the center has continued the Wii use and expanded it to their sister center in Santa Ana. The patients enjoy the games, cheer each other on and have the opportunity to play sports like table tennis or bowling which they gave up due to injury, age or poor health. The use of the Wii encourages older adults to be active and may improve their overall health.
Physical Therapy
Using the balance board, the wheel and the regular Wii controllers, physical therapists are incorporating game playing into their therapy sessions. Certain games synced up with the balance board can track the progress of a patient in a fun way that a chart, pencil and paper could not. Keeping the therapy entertaining and engaging is a must for a center that has many child or teenage patients. An article in Personal Training Magazine cites that introducing the Wii to patients has lead to a big jump in positive attitude about therapy and an increase in treatment compliance.
Surgery Recovery
The Wii has been used to help patients recover muscle after having had surgeries like back surgery or knee replacement. The fitness package of the Wii helps these patients to improve their weight bearing and balance. The modifications available on the Wii allow patients who are still very weak after surgery to accomplish the motions to play the games. This type of therapy can be used after surgery, accidents or anything else that requires a long road back to recovery. When the road is paved with cute characters and bright colors, it may not seem as long or tough for the patients.
Brain Damage Recovery
The University Medical Center at Ohio State University in Columbus has begun using the Wii as therapy for patients who have recently had strokes, traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage. One patient used the Wii fitness games to rebuild the muscles in his right side that had been immobilized post-stroke. Other aspects of the Wii, such as the news and weather channels may also be able to improve brain function due to its simple interface.
Other Recovery Benefits
Many therapy sessions tend to be one-on-one sessions, but with a Wii, multiple people can be involved at once. This adds a social aspect to therapy that can help recovery in a more indirect way: with friendship. By socializing, patients can have an improvement in self-esteem, which can help future training and the patient's attitude. In patients engaging in therapy who are overweight, the Wii tracks Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight. These tracking functions can help patients to set weight loss goals during their training as well.
The Nintendo Wii brings physical activity to gaming.The Nintendo Wii gaming system was released in late 2006. With the creation of the WiiFit companion and the balance board, Nintendo has embraced the public's use of the console for weight management and exercise. The Wii has found its way into retirement homes, hospitals and physical training offices throughout the world as a new way to meld entertainment and therapy.
For Seniors
In Anaheim, the VIP Adult Day Health Care Center holds Wii gaming sessions twice a month. After just three months, the employees noticed that the seniors who attended had improved their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Feedback from the patients was so positive that Dennis Miyadi, the occupational therapist in charge of the center has continued the Wii use and expanded it to their sister center in Santa Ana. The patients enjoy the games, cheer each other on and have the opportunity to play sports like table tennis or bowling which they gave up due to injury, age or poor health. The use of the Wii encourages older adults to be active and may improve their overall health.
Physical Therapy
Using the balance board, the wheel and the regular Wii controllers, physical therapists are incorporating game playing into their therapy sessions. Certain games synced up with the balance board can track the progress of a patient in a fun way that a chart, pencil and paper could not. Keeping the therapy entertaining and engaging is a must for a center that has many child or teenage patients. An article in Personal Training Magazine cites that introducing the Wii to patients has lead to a big jump in positive attitude about therapy and an increase in treatment compliance.
Surgery Recovery
The Wii has been used to help patients recover muscle after having had surgeries like back surgery or knee replacement. The fitness package of the Wii helps these patients to improve their weight bearing and balance. The modifications available on the Wii allow patients who are still very weak after surgery to accomplish the motions to play the games. This type of therapy can be used after surgery, accidents or anything else that requires a long road back to recovery. When the road is paved with cute characters and bright colors, it may not seem as long or tough for the patients.
Brain Damage Recovery
The University Medical Center at Ohio State University in Columbus has begun using the Wii as therapy for patients who have recently had strokes, traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage. One patient used the Wii fitness games to rebuild the muscles in his right side that had been immobilized post-stroke. Other aspects of the Wii, such as the news and weather channels may also be able to improve brain function due to its simple interface.
Other Recovery Benefits
Many therapy sessions tend to be one-on-one sessions, but with a Wii, multiple people can be involved at once. This adds a social aspect to therapy that can help recovery in a more indirect way: with friendship. By socializing, patients can have an improvement in self-esteem, which can help future training and the patient's attitude. In patients engaging in therapy who are overweight, the Wii tracks Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight. These tracking functions can help patients to set weight loss goals during their training as well.
25 November 2009
21 October 2009
No Limits to Learning: Wii Therapy: Findings in Motor Integration/planning and Sensory Systems
Can observing children using theWii help us learn more about their weaknesses and develop strategies to use the Wii to augment traditional therapy and educational practice?
My question at the top is quite a mouthful! We are struggling to get valid results from observing students using the Wii and find ways to use it to support their goals. They love to play the Wii and it can be a real motivating factor. Whether we are looking at social interaction and systems that students work in with autism, or orthopedic issues in motor integration and planning, our efforts are showing some positive results as we have used the Wii in several situations this fall.
No Limits to Learning: Wii Therapy: Findings in Motor Integration/planning and Sensory Systems
My question at the top is quite a mouthful! We are struggling to get valid results from observing students using the Wii and find ways to use it to support their goals. They love to play the Wii and it can be a real motivating factor. Whether we are looking at social interaction and systems that students work in with autism, or orthopedic issues in motor integration and planning, our efforts are showing some positive results as we have used the Wii in several situations this fall.
No Limits to Learning: Wii Therapy: Findings in Motor Integration/planning and Sensory Systems
26 September 2009
Amputees get Wii Fit
Amputees are using Nintendo Wii Fit equipment during training sessions as a way of improving their balance and stability.
Every Thursday patients from across the borough meet at Callaghan House in Heywood to go through a tailored exercise programme that improves their strength and stability after having an amputation.
Sharon Wright, Lead Physiotherapist for Amputee Rehabilitation, believes that using the Wii Fit has massive benefits for her patients. She said: “We work with patients for from four months to two years so it’s important that we find new ways of keeping them interested in their exercise and motivated to complete their training.
“After what has been a traumatic experience, the weekly sessions allow our patients to gain back some independence and meet others who know how they feel. Health professionals from the Manchester Disabled Services Centre (MDSC) also attend the sessions so patients don’t have to travel far for appointments, which can be difficult.”
Alan Carouthers, 71, from Rochdale, has been attending the sessions for five months. He said: “I first came with the hope of being able to walk again and started off doing lots of different exercises and physiotherapy. The Wii Fit is great. It is a challenge but using the slalom and football skills games has helped with my balance tremendously and of course it’s great fun.
“It’s really important to come to these sessions because you meet people who understand how you feel but can have a laugh at the same time. It has really built up my confidence and boosted my morale and I’ve been able to make some great friends.”
Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare in conjunction with Rochdale Amputee Support Group purchased the Wii Fit equipment using a donation from charity Joining Hands for patients to use as part of their weekly exercise rehabilitation programme.
Help and support for amputees and their families can be found through the Greater Manchester Amputee Support Group, which was founded in 2004 by Malcolm Jones, from Rochdale. Malcolm founded the group after becoming an amputee himself and finding he needed more support. He said: “Having an amputation is a traumatic experience so it’s important that people have a support network once they leave hospital to help them and their families adjust.”
The group meets at Rochdale Infirmary on the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30pm in the Rochdale Infirmary outpatients waiting room.
Every Thursday patients from across the borough meet at Callaghan House in Heywood to go through a tailored exercise programme that improves their strength and stability after having an amputation.
Sharon Wright, Lead Physiotherapist for Amputee Rehabilitation, believes that using the Wii Fit has massive benefits for her patients. She said: “We work with patients for from four months to two years so it’s important that we find new ways of keeping them interested in their exercise and motivated to complete their training.
“After what has been a traumatic experience, the weekly sessions allow our patients to gain back some independence and meet others who know how they feel. Health professionals from the Manchester Disabled Services Centre (MDSC) also attend the sessions so patients don’t have to travel far for appointments, which can be difficult.”
Alan Carouthers, 71, from Rochdale, has been attending the sessions for five months. He said: “I first came with the hope of being able to walk again and started off doing lots of different exercises and physiotherapy. The Wii Fit is great. It is a challenge but using the slalom and football skills games has helped with my balance tremendously and of course it’s great fun.
“It’s really important to come to these sessions because you meet people who understand how you feel but can have a laugh at the same time. It has really built up my confidence and boosted my morale and I’ve been able to make some great friends.”
Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Community Healthcare in conjunction with Rochdale Amputee Support Group purchased the Wii Fit equipment using a donation from charity Joining Hands for patients to use as part of their weekly exercise rehabilitation programme.
Help and support for amputees and their families can be found through the Greater Manchester Amputee Support Group, which was founded in 2004 by Malcolm Jones, from Rochdale. Malcolm founded the group after becoming an amputee himself and finding he needed more support. He said: “Having an amputation is a traumatic experience so it’s important that people have a support network once they leave hospital to help them and their families adjust.”
The group meets at Rochdale Infirmary on the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30pm in the Rochdale Infirmary outpatients waiting room.
28 July 2009
Wii makes therapy more fun
by BARBARA TRAININ BLANK For The Patriot-News
Sunday July 26, 2009, 12:00 AM
Vince Cassaro
Lori Rice of HealthSouth helps Army Maj. Neal Stasny, 43, of Lebanon, work out with a Wii at the rehabilitation center in Wormleysburg. Stasny, who is the deputy chief of staff of information management at Fort Indiantown Gap, is recovering from a stroke. Miriam Dreibelbis had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many years. Knee surgery exacerbated the pain in her back, and the West Shore resident ended up in a wheelchair.
Seeking help at HealthSouth Hospitals and Outpatient Centers of Mechanicsburg, Dreibelbis found partial relief in "child's play."
HealthSouth is one of a growing number of outpatient and inpatient facilities that are incorporating Wiihabilitation into their physical therapy and rehabilitation regiments.
Wii (pronounced "wee") is an interactive Nintendo computer game that requires participants to move. A wireless remote connects the player to an on-screen digital icon, which mimics his or her movement in various sports and exercises.
Traditional games available on the Wii Sport software include bowling, tennis and golf. Another game attachment is the balance pad that goes with the Wii Fit software. Players stand on this pad to accomplish such things as walking a tightrope.
"Wii is part of a coordinated approach of physical, occupational and speech therapy at our outpatient facilities," says Laureen Martinelli, site coordinator for the HealthSouth center in Wormleysburg. "It has therapeutic benefits beyond 'straight' exercise. When patients come for outpatient therapy, they've already been through maybe months of conventional therapy. We need different tools to engage the brain, to use new muscles. The graphics of Wii are amazing."
The individuals who come for outpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy at the site include amputees and patients with brain injuries, strokes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.
The Lebanon VA Medical Center has had Wii software for two years.
"Initially we introduced it to the long-term care, nursing units," says Jennifer Coy, supervisor of rehabilitation therapies at the VA. "Then we bought it for the rest of the units, including the physical therapy and acute behavioral health units."
According to Coy, Wii "has gone over very well" and brings a lot of benefits, especially for long-term care patients. "It's given them a sense of camaraderie and satisfies their need for competition," she says. "Many of the patients are games- and sports-oriented, especially as our demographic has gotten younger. Wii uses something current that's known to them."
Among the other benefits are that Wii can improve perception, balance and range of motion, the latter especially for physical therapy patients. It also enhances attention span.
One of the other advantages the VA has discovered, says Coy, is that Wii helps fight depression, even if the patient comes just to watch rather than actually participate.
"Wii Sport improves hand-eye coordination and gives the patient a little cardio workout," Martinelli says. "Wii Fit will indicate your body mass index."
For Dreibelbis, Wii was not only effective but "fun."
"It's a nice thing to do," she says. "Wii helps alleviate the tedium of physical therapy exercises and gives patients a sense of progress. Wii worked on my balance, which has always been a problem for me."
Dreibelbis also praised the psychological impact. "I realized I had more capabilities than I thought. It makes you forget about your inabilities," she says.
Like the VA, HealthSouth has found socialization an important part of Wii's appeal and effectiveness.
"It's true Wii means people watching a TV screen, but at least they're moving, and it's interactive," Martinelli says. "It's another tool to add to the therapists' bag of tricks."
Sunday July 26, 2009, 12:00 AM
Vince Cassaro
Lori Rice of HealthSouth helps Army Maj. Neal Stasny, 43, of Lebanon, work out with a Wii at the rehabilitation center in Wormleysburg. Stasny, who is the deputy chief of staff of information management at Fort Indiantown Gap, is recovering from a stroke. Miriam Dreibelbis had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for many years. Knee surgery exacerbated the pain in her back, and the West Shore resident ended up in a wheelchair.
Seeking help at HealthSouth Hospitals and Outpatient Centers of Mechanicsburg, Dreibelbis found partial relief in "child's play."
HealthSouth is one of a growing number of outpatient and inpatient facilities that are incorporating Wiihabilitation into their physical therapy and rehabilitation regiments.
Wii (pronounced "wee") is an interactive Nintendo computer game that requires participants to move. A wireless remote connects the player to an on-screen digital icon, which mimics his or her movement in various sports and exercises.
Traditional games available on the Wii Sport software include bowling, tennis and golf. Another game attachment is the balance pad that goes with the Wii Fit software. Players stand on this pad to accomplish such things as walking a tightrope.
"Wii is part of a coordinated approach of physical, occupational and speech therapy at our outpatient facilities," says Laureen Martinelli, site coordinator for the HealthSouth center in Wormleysburg. "It has therapeutic benefits beyond 'straight' exercise. When patients come for outpatient therapy, they've already been through maybe months of conventional therapy. We need different tools to engage the brain, to use new muscles. The graphics of Wii are amazing."
The individuals who come for outpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy at the site include amputees and patients with brain injuries, strokes, Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injuries.
The Lebanon VA Medical Center has had Wii software for two years.
"Initially we introduced it to the long-term care, nursing units," says Jennifer Coy, supervisor of rehabilitation therapies at the VA. "Then we bought it for the rest of the units, including the physical therapy and acute behavioral health units."
According to Coy, Wii "has gone over very well" and brings a lot of benefits, especially for long-term care patients. "It's given them a sense of camaraderie and satisfies their need for competition," she says. "Many of the patients are games- and sports-oriented, especially as our demographic has gotten younger. Wii uses something current that's known to them."
Among the other benefits are that Wii can improve perception, balance and range of motion, the latter especially for physical therapy patients. It also enhances attention span.
One of the other advantages the VA has discovered, says Coy, is that Wii helps fight depression, even if the patient comes just to watch rather than actually participate.
"Wii Sport improves hand-eye coordination and gives the patient a little cardio workout," Martinelli says. "Wii Fit will indicate your body mass index."
For Dreibelbis, Wii was not only effective but "fun."
"It's a nice thing to do," she says. "Wii helps alleviate the tedium of physical therapy exercises and gives patients a sense of progress. Wii worked on my balance, which has always been a problem for me."
Dreibelbis also praised the psychological impact. "I realized I had more capabilities than I thought. It makes you forget about your inabilities," she says.
Like the VA, HealthSouth has found socialization an important part of Wii's appeal and effectiveness.
"It's true Wii means people watching a TV screen, but at least they're moving, and it's interactive," Martinelli says. "It's another tool to add to the therapists' bag of tricks."
17 June 2009
Nintendo Wii Could Help Doctors Prep for Surgery
By Charles Q. Choi
The popular Nintendo Wii console offers video games that venture into the world of exercise, but scientists now are taking it further, to help doctors heal the body.
The key behind the Wii is its motion-sensitive wireless controller, the Wii Remote, or the "Wiimote," with which players control actions on screen. Players can swing the controller to simulate countless realistic motions, such as swatting a baseball for a home run. Such technology is becoming increasingly popular — at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Sony and Microsoft both revealed motion-sensitive game controllers.
Playing with the Wii could help surgeons in training improve their fine motor skills and performance in a surgical simulator. Eight trainees were asked to play the Wii for an hour before performing virtual laparoscopic surgery with a tool that simulates a patient's body and tracks the surgeon's movements as he or she operates.
The Wii-playing residents scored 48 percent higher than others without the warm-up with the Wii, working faster and more accurately.
Although the researchers first relied on off-the-shelf Wii games, they will soon release a complete surgical training system they designed for the Wii, where trainees can practice suturing and other procedures.
"There's really no accurate way to train surgeons in the operating room, so it's virtually all the on-the-job training, which is very time-inefficient," explained researcher Mark Smith, an endoscopic surgeon at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Arizona. "There are surgery simulators out there, but these are still very expensive. With the Wii, we have a very easy and inexpensive platform where surgery residents can learn and develop their skills."
"You can even have the surgeons train at home," added researcher Kanav Kahol, a biomedical informatician at Arizona State University. Although the Wii could help surgeons train in virtually any surgical specialty, the researchers are especially interested in using the console to teach robotic surgery, where surgeons can use robots for precise, minimally invasive procedures or to help patients at remote locations.
The Wii is also helping patients with Parkinson's disease gain or maintain their independence with physical activities. Occupational therapists at Medical College of Georgia are using the console with patients to help them exercise.
"One of the therapists uses the Wii for timing and loosening up, and the other uses it for coordination and balance issues," said researcher Ben Herz. "These therapists are thinking way out of the box. They're doing activities that will make a difference in these participants' lives based on what we know about Parkinson's."
Doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center are using the Wii to help scan through an ever-increasing workload of patient X-ray and MRI images.
Instead of spending hours at a time navigating through pictures using basic keyboard and mouse clicks, which can lead to repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, one cycles through scans with the Wii by just rotating the wrist.
"The remote is very intuitive," explained George Shih, a radiologist at Weill Cornell Medical College, who with his colleagues helped develop the system that links the Wii remote to the diagnostic computer.
At Weill, "Wii-habilitation" therapists are using the console to help patients with burn injuries. For such patients, moving and stretching the skin is very painful, but crucial for a successful recovery.
"If a burn injury is near joints, the healing process makes the skin tight, so the natural tendency is not to move normally," said Roger Yurt, chief of burn surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "However, if the patients don't, the joint itself starts to get stiff, so right from the beginning after a significant burn injury, patients have to start doing physical therapy."
The researchers have found that Wii games not only help the burn patients exercise as they need to, but "get their mind off their disease, accomplish the objectives of the therapy without being routine and boring and monotonous," said researcher and physical therapist Sam Yohannan at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
"If they're in for multiple surgeries, for an extended period of time, it gives them a little bit of escape, doing some sort of sport with scenery that's typically outdoors," Yohannan added. "And it also improves socialization, and that's a big part of burn rehabilitation and therapy, to get social support."
Such research, or "Wii-search" as Yohannan said he sometimes calls it, "is very cutting edge, and there will be a lot more in the future, to see why and how games can better improve the health of patients. It's a great and inexpensive technology."
The popular Nintendo Wii console offers video games that venture into the world of exercise, but scientists now are taking it further, to help doctors heal the body.
The key behind the Wii is its motion-sensitive wireless controller, the Wii Remote, or the "Wiimote," with which players control actions on screen. Players can swing the controller to simulate countless realistic motions, such as swatting a baseball for a home run. Such technology is becoming increasingly popular — at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Sony and Microsoft both revealed motion-sensitive game controllers.
Playing with the Wii could help surgeons in training improve their fine motor skills and performance in a surgical simulator. Eight trainees were asked to play the Wii for an hour before performing virtual laparoscopic surgery with a tool that simulates a patient's body and tracks the surgeon's movements as he or she operates.
The Wii-playing residents scored 48 percent higher than others without the warm-up with the Wii, working faster and more accurately.
Although the researchers first relied on off-the-shelf Wii games, they will soon release a complete surgical training system they designed for the Wii, where trainees can practice suturing and other procedures.
"There's really no accurate way to train surgeons in the operating room, so it's virtually all the on-the-job training, which is very time-inefficient," explained researcher Mark Smith, an endoscopic surgeon at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Arizona. "There are surgery simulators out there, but these are still very expensive. With the Wii, we have a very easy and inexpensive platform where surgery residents can learn and develop their skills."
"You can even have the surgeons train at home," added researcher Kanav Kahol, a biomedical informatician at Arizona State University. Although the Wii could help surgeons train in virtually any surgical specialty, the researchers are especially interested in using the console to teach robotic surgery, where surgeons can use robots for precise, minimally invasive procedures or to help patients at remote locations.
The Wii is also helping patients with Parkinson's disease gain or maintain their independence with physical activities. Occupational therapists at Medical College of Georgia are using the console with patients to help them exercise.
"One of the therapists uses the Wii for timing and loosening up, and the other uses it for coordination and balance issues," said researcher Ben Herz. "These therapists are thinking way out of the box. They're doing activities that will make a difference in these participants' lives based on what we know about Parkinson's."
Doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center are using the Wii to help scan through an ever-increasing workload of patient X-ray and MRI images.
Instead of spending hours at a time navigating through pictures using basic keyboard and mouse clicks, which can lead to repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, one cycles through scans with the Wii by just rotating the wrist.
"The remote is very intuitive," explained George Shih, a radiologist at Weill Cornell Medical College, who with his colleagues helped develop the system that links the Wii remote to the diagnostic computer.
At Weill, "Wii-habilitation" therapists are using the console to help patients with burn injuries. For such patients, moving and stretching the skin is very painful, but crucial for a successful recovery.
"If a burn injury is near joints, the healing process makes the skin tight, so the natural tendency is not to move normally," said Roger Yurt, chief of burn surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. "However, if the patients don't, the joint itself starts to get stiff, so right from the beginning after a significant burn injury, patients have to start doing physical therapy."
The researchers have found that Wii games not only help the burn patients exercise as they need to, but "get their mind off their disease, accomplish the objectives of the therapy without being routine and boring and monotonous," said researcher and physical therapist Sam Yohannan at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
"If they're in for multiple surgeries, for an extended period of time, it gives them a little bit of escape, doing some sort of sport with scenery that's typically outdoors," Yohannan added. "And it also improves socialization, and that's a big part of burn rehabilitation and therapy, to get social support."
Such research, or "Wii-search" as Yohannan said he sometimes calls it, "is very cutting edge, and there will be a lot more in the future, to see why and how games can better improve the health of patients. It's a great and inexpensive technology."
12 June 2009
Finding the right balance: Providence Healthcare’s new mobility clinic
By Beth Johnson
Radiation treatments for bone cancer at the age of 11 precipitated a condition that resulted in the amputation of Kevin Clancy’s right leg at age 48. Clancy remembers waking up on November 16, 2008 and noticing that his right foot was unusually cold. “Some of the toes had turned blue,” he recalls. “Ever since I had cancer, I’ve had poor circulation in that leg, but nothing like this.”
He was taken to an acute-care hospital the same day, where doctors discovered that only one artery was working. The decision was quickly made to remove the leg above the knee. The surgery was done November 23, and within 10 days, Clancy was transferred to Providence Hospital’s Amputee Rehabilitation program to begin rehab. Providence Hospital is one of the three integrated care divisions within Providence Healthcare in Toronto’s east end that also offers long-term care and community outreach services.
During his two months at Providence, Clancy was fitted with a prosthetic leg, and made a couple of trips home to determine what changes would need to be made to ensure a smooth transition home. Another step taken to ensure a smooth transition home was introducing Clancy to Providence’s newest service, the Mobility Clinic, where he met with his new physical and occupational therapists.
The new Mobility Clinic is designed for outpatients of Providence Hospital with muscular-skeletal impairments. It ‘fills the gap’ that opens once a patient returns home by continuing to support their therapy needs within a safe, professional, and compassionate environment.
There are two ultimate goals for the Clinic. The first is to provide individualized health-care services to improve functional abilities and promote independence. The second, more important goal, is re-integrating clients into their community and giving clients back their confidence and freedom to take charge and manage their own health care and new lifestyles.
“Kevin was confident while at Providence or at home, but there was a lot of fear each time he faced a new, public environment,” explains Clancy’s wife Christie. “For example, we had to go shopping for a light bulb, but Kevin was hesitant. He knew they were stocked at the back of the hardware store. But he did it – he summoned the confidence he needed to walk to the back of the store, find what he was looking for, get back to the car and return home.” A weekend trip to the hardware store is something we take for granted, but a milestone for someone learning to walk again after the sudden loss of a leg.
The Clinic helps people overcome fears by instilling a sense of independence through using innovative rehabilitation equipment and best practices. Physiotherapist Dellene Sakaguchi says, “Strengthening exercises help patients learn how to trust their balance again. We use tools such as a ‘core pole’ for total body conditioning.” The Clinics’s state-of-the-art gymnasium includes a variety of rehabilitation equipment, a mock kitchen and laundry room for training purposes, and a Sony Wii game system to strengthen muscles and enhance dynamic balance skills in a fun way.
“We take the time to learn about what each person’s day-to-day life involves then reintroduce them to these activities, and adapt them however necessary,” explains occupational therapist Lynne Mycyk. Staff introduced and adapted exercises and activities that would help Clancy get back to the things he loves doing, such as golfing, cooking and participating in the drum corps.
Staff members also help clients understand their injuries, their rehabilitation goals, and their achievements. Education fosters understanding; when clients see the ‘big picture’, they develop a belief in what they are doing, thereby increasing their chance of success. Beyond the physical rehabilitation provided, a sense of camaraderie and hope permeates the clinic. Clients of the service encourage each other’s progress and celebrate achievements.
With 347 beds, Providence Hospital is one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals in Ontario, and the Amputee Rehabilitation unit alone discharges up to 80 patients annually. The new Mobility Clinic is Providence’s solution to ensuring a smooth continuum of care on the patient’s journey to recovery.
Beth Johnson is the Director of Communications at Providence Healthcare.
Radiation treatments for bone cancer at the age of 11 precipitated a condition that resulted in the amputation of Kevin Clancy’s right leg at age 48. Clancy remembers waking up on November 16, 2008 and noticing that his right foot was unusually cold. “Some of the toes had turned blue,” he recalls. “Ever since I had cancer, I’ve had poor circulation in that leg, but nothing like this.”
He was taken to an acute-care hospital the same day, where doctors discovered that only one artery was working. The decision was quickly made to remove the leg above the knee. The surgery was done November 23, and within 10 days, Clancy was transferred to Providence Hospital’s Amputee Rehabilitation program to begin rehab. Providence Hospital is one of the three integrated care divisions within Providence Healthcare in Toronto’s east end that also offers long-term care and community outreach services.
During his two months at Providence, Clancy was fitted with a prosthetic leg, and made a couple of trips home to determine what changes would need to be made to ensure a smooth transition home. Another step taken to ensure a smooth transition home was introducing Clancy to Providence’s newest service, the Mobility Clinic, where he met with his new physical and occupational therapists.
The new Mobility Clinic is designed for outpatients of Providence Hospital with muscular-skeletal impairments. It ‘fills the gap’ that opens once a patient returns home by continuing to support their therapy needs within a safe, professional, and compassionate environment.
There are two ultimate goals for the Clinic. The first is to provide individualized health-care services to improve functional abilities and promote independence. The second, more important goal, is re-integrating clients into their community and giving clients back their confidence and freedom to take charge and manage their own health care and new lifestyles.
“Kevin was confident while at Providence or at home, but there was a lot of fear each time he faced a new, public environment,” explains Clancy’s wife Christie. “For example, we had to go shopping for a light bulb, but Kevin was hesitant. He knew they were stocked at the back of the hardware store. But he did it – he summoned the confidence he needed to walk to the back of the store, find what he was looking for, get back to the car and return home.” A weekend trip to the hardware store is something we take for granted, but a milestone for someone learning to walk again after the sudden loss of a leg.
The Clinic helps people overcome fears by instilling a sense of independence through using innovative rehabilitation equipment and best practices. Physiotherapist Dellene Sakaguchi says, “Strengthening exercises help patients learn how to trust their balance again. We use tools such as a ‘core pole’ for total body conditioning.” The Clinics’s state-of-the-art gymnasium includes a variety of rehabilitation equipment, a mock kitchen and laundry room for training purposes, and a Sony Wii game system to strengthen muscles and enhance dynamic balance skills in a fun way.
“We take the time to learn about what each person’s day-to-day life involves then reintroduce them to these activities, and adapt them however necessary,” explains occupational therapist Lynne Mycyk. Staff introduced and adapted exercises and activities that would help Clancy get back to the things he loves doing, such as golfing, cooking and participating in the drum corps.
Staff members also help clients understand their injuries, their rehabilitation goals, and their achievements. Education fosters understanding; when clients see the ‘big picture’, they develop a belief in what they are doing, thereby increasing their chance of success. Beyond the physical rehabilitation provided, a sense of camaraderie and hope permeates the clinic. Clients of the service encourage each other’s progress and celebrate achievements.
With 347 beds, Providence Hospital is one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals in Ontario, and the Amputee Rehabilitation unit alone discharges up to 80 patients annually. The new Mobility Clinic is Providence’s solution to ensuring a smooth continuum of care on the patient’s journey to recovery.
Beth Johnson is the Director of Communications at Providence Healthcare.
Finding the right balance: Providence Healthcare’s new mobility clinic
By Beth Johnson
Radiation treatments for bone cancer at the age of 11 precipitated a condition that resulted in the amputation of Kevin Clancy’s right leg at age 48. Clancy remembers waking up on November 16, 2008 and noticing that his right foot was unusually cold. “Some of the toes had turned blue,” he recalls. “Ever since I had cancer, I’ve had poor circulation in that leg, but nothing like this.”
He was taken to an acute-care hospital the same day, where doctors discovered that only one artery was working. The decision was quickly made to remove the leg above the knee. The surgery was done November 23, and within 10 days, Clancy was transferred to Providence Hospital’s Amputee Rehabilitation program to begin rehab. Providence Hospital is one of the three integrated care divisions within Providence Healthcare in Toronto’s east end that also offers long-term care and community outreach services.
During his two months at Providence, Clancy was fitted with a prosthetic leg, and made a couple of trips home to determine what changes would need to be made to ensure a smooth transition home. Another step taken to ensure a smooth transition home was introducing Clancy to Providence’s newest service, the Mobility Clinic, where he met with his new physical and occupational therapists.
The new Mobility Clinic is designed for outpatients of Providence Hospital with muscular-skeletal impairments. It ‘fills the gap’ that opens once a patient returns home by continuing to support their therapy needs within a safe, professional, and compassionate environment.
There are two ultimate goals for the Clinic. The first is to provide individualized health-care services to improve functional abilities and promote independence. The second, more important goal, is re-integrating clients into their community and giving clients back their confidence and freedom to take charge and manage their own health care and new lifestyles.
“Kevin was confident while at Providence or at home, but there was a lot of fear each time he faced a new, public environment,” explains Clancy’s wife Christie. “For example, we had to go shopping for a light bulb, but Kevin was hesitant. He knew they were stocked at the back of the hardware store. But he did it – he summoned the confidence he needed to walk to the back of the store, find what he was looking for, get back to the car and return home.” A weekend trip to the hardware store is something we take for granted, but a milestone for someone learning to walk again after the sudden loss of a leg.
The Clinic helps people overcome fears by instilling a sense of independence through using innovative rehabilitation equipment and best practices. Physiotherapist Dellene Sakaguchi says, “Strengthening exercises help patients learn how to trust their balance again. We use tools such as a ‘core pole’ for total body conditioning.” The Clinics’s state-of-the-art gymnasium includes a variety of rehabilitation equipment, a mock kitchen and laundry room for training purposes, and a Sony Wii game system to strengthen muscles and enhance dynamic balance skills in a fun way.
“We take the time to learn about what each person’s day-to-day life involves then reintroduce them to these activities, and adapt them however necessary,” explains occupational therapist Lynne Mycyk. Staff introduced and adapted exercises and activities that would help Clancy get back to the things he loves doing, such as golfing, cooking and participating in the drum corps.
Staff members also help clients understand their injuries, their rehabilitation goals, and their achievements. Education fosters understanding; when clients see the ‘big picture’, they develop a belief in what they are doing, thereby increasing their chance of success. Beyond the physical rehabilitation provided, a sense of camaraderie and hope permeates the clinic. Clients of the service encourage each other’s progress and celebrate achievements.
With 347 beds, Providence Hospital is one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals in Ontario, and the Amputee Rehabilitation unit alone discharges up to 80 patients annually. The new Mobility Clinic is Providence’s solution to ensuring a smooth continuum of care on the patient’s journey to recovery.Beth Johnson is the Director of Communications at Providence Healthcare.
Radiation treatments for bone cancer at the age of 11 precipitated a condition that resulted in the amputation of Kevin Clancy’s right leg at age 48. Clancy remembers waking up on November 16, 2008 and noticing that his right foot was unusually cold. “Some of the toes had turned blue,” he recalls. “Ever since I had cancer, I’ve had poor circulation in that leg, but nothing like this.”
He was taken to an acute-care hospital the same day, where doctors discovered that only one artery was working. The decision was quickly made to remove the leg above the knee. The surgery was done November 23, and within 10 days, Clancy was transferred to Providence Hospital’s Amputee Rehabilitation program to begin rehab. Providence Hospital is one of the three integrated care divisions within Providence Healthcare in Toronto’s east end that also offers long-term care and community outreach services.
During his two months at Providence, Clancy was fitted with a prosthetic leg, and made a couple of trips home to determine what changes would need to be made to ensure a smooth transition home. Another step taken to ensure a smooth transition home was introducing Clancy to Providence’s newest service, the Mobility Clinic, where he met with his new physical and occupational therapists.
The new Mobility Clinic is designed for outpatients of Providence Hospital with muscular-skeletal impairments. It ‘fills the gap’ that opens once a patient returns home by continuing to support their therapy needs within a safe, professional, and compassionate environment.
There are two ultimate goals for the Clinic. The first is to provide individualized health-care services to improve functional abilities and promote independence. The second, more important goal, is re-integrating clients into their community and giving clients back their confidence and freedom to take charge and manage their own health care and new lifestyles.
“Kevin was confident while at Providence or at home, but there was a lot of fear each time he faced a new, public environment,” explains Clancy’s wife Christie. “For example, we had to go shopping for a light bulb, but Kevin was hesitant. He knew they were stocked at the back of the hardware store. But he did it – he summoned the confidence he needed to walk to the back of the store, find what he was looking for, get back to the car and return home.” A weekend trip to the hardware store is something we take for granted, but a milestone for someone learning to walk again after the sudden loss of a leg.
The Clinic helps people overcome fears by instilling a sense of independence through using innovative rehabilitation equipment and best practices. Physiotherapist Dellene Sakaguchi says, “Strengthening exercises help patients learn how to trust their balance again. We use tools such as a ‘core pole’ for total body conditioning.” The Clinics’s state-of-the-art gymnasium includes a variety of rehabilitation equipment, a mock kitchen and laundry room for training purposes, and a Sony Wii game system to strengthen muscles and enhance dynamic balance skills in a fun way.
“We take the time to learn about what each person’s day-to-day life involves then reintroduce them to these activities, and adapt them however necessary,” explains occupational therapist Lynne Mycyk. Staff introduced and adapted exercises and activities that would help Clancy get back to the things he loves doing, such as golfing, cooking and participating in the drum corps.
Staff members also help clients understand their injuries, their rehabilitation goals, and their achievements. Education fosters understanding; when clients see the ‘big picture’, they develop a belief in what they are doing, thereby increasing their chance of success. Beyond the physical rehabilitation provided, a sense of camaraderie and hope permeates the clinic. Clients of the service encourage each other’s progress and celebrate achievements.
With 347 beds, Providence Hospital is one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals in Ontario, and the Amputee Rehabilitation unit alone discharges up to 80 patients annually. The new Mobility Clinic is Providence’s solution to ensuring a smooth continuum of care on the patient’s journey to recovery.Beth Johnson is the Director of Communications at Providence Healthcare.
15 May 2009
Rehabilitative Benefits of the Nintendo Wii
by Holly McCarthy on May 14, 2009
This is a guest post on the EasyStand Blog, contributed by Holly McCarthy, who writes on the subject of the sports management degree programs at an accredited university. She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12 at gmail dot com.
The Nintendo Wii has been one of the most popular game systems this decade and has even been used in rehabilitative applications for people coping with a variety of ailments. A little over a year ago doctors in Canada thought of using the system, which had been used as entertainment for young spinal cord injury recovering patients, and as therapy for patients after strokes.
What they began to realize is that this system, the Nintendo Wii, could be just what is needed to help with rehabilitation because of its ease of use and friendly interface. There are several benefits of using the Wii in rehabilitative treatments (commonly termed at Wii-hab), a few of which will be explored below.
Balance - Whether the patient is standing or sitting in a wheelchair, the controllers used to play the Wii console require balance and proper form for the best results. Using a standing frame while playing Wii can promote movement while standing, which research has shown to improve bone mineral density and strengthening.
Hand-Eye Coordination - Over time, hand-eye coordination improves through the use of video games. This is especially true of the Wii since the players’ movements are mimicked on the screen.
Entertainment - Therapy becomes more enjoyable when put in the context of a game. People who use a standing frame for Physical or Occupational Therapy can prolong their standing time by “multi-tasking” by playing Wii.
Competitive Spirit - The competitive spirit in patients who may not otherwise be able to compete is awakened. This can be great for increasing social skills as well as self-esteem.
Extension of Therapy to Home - While many things that are found in a therapists office are far too cost-prohibitive to be kept at home, the Wii is an affordable method of treatment that can be taken beyond the office and into the home for around $250. Additionally, friends and family can play along and join in the fun.
Helps With Memory, Problem Solving, and Decision Making Skills - All of these skills are honed through the use of video games according to studies, which may or may not be good news for parents. Playing sophisticated games helps with short-term, long-term, and muscle memory. Strategic games require problem solving and decision making skills, all of which help to enhance the experience.
The Nintendo Wii is finding enthusiasts of many abilities these days. Games and hardware have made participating in many activities from the comfort of your own home possible with a small price tag that can bring benefits to those in and out of rehabilitation care.
Have you used the Nintendo Wii for rehab or fun? What games have you enjoyed the most?
11 April 2009
24 January 2009
Wii Fit helps paralysed girl to walk again
Written by Rene Millman
If you thought that computer games were bad for children and turning us into a nation of couch potatoes then think again. The Wii Fit has helped one girl to walk again after years of paralysis.
Nicole Cahill, 10, of Enniscorthy in Wexford, Ireland managed to walk again after for years in a wheelchair.
She received treatment in a New York hospital, attending therapy courses for six days a week.
While she had conventional treatments, such as hydrotherapy, it was the Wii Fit that the girl took a shine to and which helped her back on her feet again.
"The Wii Fit has really helped. It's great because there are so many balancing and stretching exercises on it," Nocole's mum, Mairead told the Irish Herald. "I also do yoga with her at home, and she does exercises on a ball. The Wii has taken an awful lot of pressure off her as well."
The balance board has been helping the girl strengthen her legs and regain her balance. Nicole had spent six month at a New York rehabilitation centre after a virus she contracted left her in a wheelchair at the age of six.
If you thought that computer games were bad for children and turning us into a nation of couch potatoes then think again. The Wii Fit has helped one girl to walk again after years of paralysis.
Nicole Cahill, 10, of Enniscorthy in Wexford, Ireland managed to walk again after for years in a wheelchair.
She received treatment in a New York hospital, attending therapy courses for six days a week.
While she had conventional treatments, such as hydrotherapy, it was the Wii Fit that the girl took a shine to and which helped her back on her feet again.
"The Wii Fit has really helped. It's great because there are so many balancing and stretching exercises on it," Nocole's mum, Mairead told the Irish Herald. "I also do yoga with her at home, and she does exercises on a ball. The Wii has taken an awful lot of pressure off her as well."
The balance board has been helping the girl strengthen her legs and regain her balance. Nicole had spent six month at a New York rehabilitation centre after a virus she contracted left her in a wheelchair at the age of six.
05 January 2009
Chilling out with Wii
Well since I have been off for the Christmas break I have been able to chill out and experience the joy of the Wii. To begin with I decide to go diving into the Endless Ocean to see what the treasures lay beneath the ocean
Then I kind of lost track of time, because I knew I was going to the Grand Prix with Mario to check out the competition and to have a race with the best in the hope I would come first
After that tiring event I decided that I needed a bit of a break and needed a little bit of a stimulating challenge something I could really think about, so I enrolled at the Big Brain Academy
Then I kind of lost track of time, because I knew I was going to the Grand Prix with Mario to check out the competition and to have a race with the best in the hope I would come first
After that tiring event I decided that I needed a bit of a break and needed a little bit of a stimulating challenge something I could really think about, so I enrolled at the Big Brain Academy
31 December 2008
Wii Rehab Improves Balance And Mobility For Stroke Patients
Wii rehab improves balance and mobility for stroke patients at Trafford General Hospital in the UK. A Stroke patient held a fundraiser to raise enough money for a Wii, Wii games and a plasma TV. Fund raising is a great way to obtain the latest technology with minimal cost to your company or organisation! What could you do?
Fun and games, the key to rehabilitation
Thursday 18th December 2008
STROKE patients at Trafford General Hospital are enjoying rehabilitation - in the form of video games - to help their co-ordination, balance and physical mobility, thanks to fundraising by a former patient and his friends at Urmston Men’s Club.
Jim Cork, 69, from Urmston, used to be the compere at Urmston Men’s Club and was treated at Trafford General when he had a stroke in August 2007.
He wanted to help other patients on the stroke unit, so organised a fundraising evening last summer at Urmston Men’s Club.
The evening raised more than £1,400, enabling the purchase of a Nintendo Wii console and plasma screen for Trafford General’s stroke unit.
Wii is a computer games system that detects players’ movements and translates them into the action on screen.
Players can engage in virtual rounds of golf, bowling competitions and even boxing matches by using the Wii remote control to hit the ball, bowl or throw a punch.
It means stroke patients at Trafford General will be able to use Wii to aid their recovery in a fun way by having bowling or golf competitions with each other.
The Wii system will mainly be used during recreation time and will be in addition to the usual therapies provided to stroke patients.
The games can be played from either a standing or a sitting position, making them suited to patients of different ability levels.
Jim said: “The unit has given me a lot of help so I wanted to say thanks. I hope that patients on the unit enjoy using the Wii and that it helps them in their recovery.”
Stroke unit physiotherapist, Sjoerd Jorritsma, said: “We would like to thank Jim and his friends at Urmston Men’s Club for this fantastic donation, which will help patients recovering from stroke. As well as being fun, there is some anecdotal evidence that Wii has therapeutic benefits by encouraging people who have experienced stroke to be active and practise their eye-hand coordination, balance and concentration.
“These are all skills that can be affected by stroke but rehabilitation can help people improve and make as good a recovery as possible. Our patients will now be able to use Wii as an additional part of that rehabilitation.”
Urmston Men’s Club president, Peter Radley, said: “Urmston Men’s Club is proud of its efforts in supporting local charities, and particularly Trafford General Hospital, and we will continue with our support. We wish the stroke unit continuing success with its efforts for local people. Due to Jim’s high profile on our committee, it was fitting to offer our support on this particular occasion.”
Fun and games, the key to rehabilitation
Thursday 18th December 2008
STROKE patients at Trafford General Hospital are enjoying rehabilitation - in the form of video games - to help their co-ordination, balance and physical mobility, thanks to fundraising by a former patient and his friends at Urmston Men’s Club.
Jim Cork, 69, from Urmston, used to be the compere at Urmston Men’s Club and was treated at Trafford General when he had a stroke in August 2007.
He wanted to help other patients on the stroke unit, so organised a fundraising evening last summer at Urmston Men’s Club.
The evening raised more than £1,400, enabling the purchase of a Nintendo Wii console and plasma screen for Trafford General’s stroke unit.
Wii is a computer games system that detects players’ movements and translates them into the action on screen.
Players can engage in virtual rounds of golf, bowling competitions and even boxing matches by using the Wii remote control to hit the ball, bowl or throw a punch.
It means stroke patients at Trafford General will be able to use Wii to aid their recovery in a fun way by having bowling or golf competitions with each other.
The Wii system will mainly be used during recreation time and will be in addition to the usual therapies provided to stroke patients.
The games can be played from either a standing or a sitting position, making them suited to patients of different ability levels.
Jim said: “The unit has given me a lot of help so I wanted to say thanks. I hope that patients on the unit enjoy using the Wii and that it helps them in their recovery.”
Stroke unit physiotherapist, Sjoerd Jorritsma, said: “We would like to thank Jim and his friends at Urmston Men’s Club for this fantastic donation, which will help patients recovering from stroke. As well as being fun, there is some anecdotal evidence that Wii has therapeutic benefits by encouraging people who have experienced stroke to be active and practise their eye-hand coordination, balance and concentration.
“These are all skills that can be affected by stroke but rehabilitation can help people improve and make as good a recovery as possible. Our patients will now be able to use Wii as an additional part of that rehabilitation.”
Urmston Men’s Club president, Peter Radley, said: “Urmston Men’s Club is proud of its efforts in supporting local charities, and particularly Trafford General Hospital, and we will continue with our support. We wish the stroke unit continuing success with its efforts for local people. Due to Jim’s high profile on our committee, it was fitting to offer our support on this particular occasion.”
Art Without Boundaries making a difference
Dayle Sundberg of Estelline works with residents at the Golden Living Center and the Estelline Nursing and Care Center earlier this month, spending 30 minutes with those who wanted to benefit from a unique therapy called Art Without Boundaries.
Through the simple acts of singing, movement , painting and storytelling, Dayle Sundberg of Estelline is helping individuals with brain disorders bring everyday, pleasurable moments into their life.
Sundberg has started the first South Dakota chapter of Art Without Boundaries after completing an extensive online course and doing her hands on training with founder and mentor Noell Hammer. This is the first chapter in South Dakota, but there are chapters in six other states.
Art Without Boundaries uses MnemeTherapy, a cutting-edge whole brain therapy for individuals with brain disorders or issues. "This is not art therapy," said Hammer, "but rather a way to speak to the brain in a different way."
Hammer and Sundberg visited the Golden Living Center in Lake Norden and the Estelline Nursing and Care Center earlier this month, spending 30 minutes with willing residents. The session started out with the singing of a familiar song, left-to-right body movement, the painting of a picture and ended with storytelling about the painting .
"I had no idea how it would affect my heart," Sundberg said of her experience with her first two patients. As she worked with a stroke patient who had difficulty speaking, by the end of the 30- minute session the patient was getting some vowels and sounds out and was able to say "I love you."
"Everyone was weeping for joy with the hope it gave," said Sundberg. "I didn't' realize how big of an impact it was going to be."
Hammer stresses that is not the artwork, but the process which strives to stimulate sustained attentive focus.
"Our goal is to provide a rewarding experience . We are not trying to cure the patients, but provide every day pleasure," Hammer said.
But during the process many of her clients over the past 10 years, ranging in age from 2-107 , have had incredible results, including amazing paintings, significant improvement in verbal skills, mobility, combativeness, spatial acuity and understanding instructions.
"The therapy is something I would have wanted to do with my mom but couldn't ," Sundberg said of her mom, who spent the last five years of her life with injury-related dementia. "It would have been wonderful to get a glimpse of her again."
Having a parent with a brain injury was one of the reasons Sundberg chose to complete the training and open an Art Without Boundaries chapter in South Dakota.
"It was a good fit for me as I love old people and have had experience working with dementia patients," Sundberg said.
Sundberg has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of South Dakota with a specialization in sculpture and also saw this as a natural progression for her art.
MnemeTherapy works on individuals with all types of dementia: Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke victims, Pick's disease, (frontotemporal dementia), Lewy Body disease, and with younger children and adults with Asperger syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, ADD, ADHD, autism, and cerebral palsy.
Caregiving institutions such a nursing homes and assisted living center, as well as private individuals with short-term rehab or disorders, are encouraged to make an appointment with Sundberg by calling her at 605-873-3030 or 605-769-0811 .
For more information about MnemeTherapy and Art Without Boundaries, visit http:// www.artwithoutboundaries.org or www.artwithoutboundaries.org/DS.html.
30 December 2008
Wii system helps local patients recover from stroke, disabilities
-BLOOMINGTON -- "Nice shot," David Wickenhauser said as Judy Erickson's chip shot made it onto the green. Wickenhauser then helped Erickson to select the correct club for putting.
Wickenhauser, 36, and Erickson, 56, weren't golfers on one of Bloomington-Normal's many golf courses. They are BroMenn Adult Day Services' clients recovering from serious illnesses. They were swinging a remote while walking around in front of a large-screen television in the family room at Adult Day Services, 202 E. Locust St., as other clients watched.
The Wii -- the popular video game system -- is being used as a part of rehabilitation with patients on the Acute Rehabilitation Unit of BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal and with clients at Adult Day Services.
Balance, coordination, endurance and fine motor skills are among body functions that may be improved through use of the Wii, said Rebecca Wheat, manager of Adult Day Services.
Erickson, of Bloomington, a GTE retiree recovering from a stroke, said playing the Wii has helped her arm strength and hand-to-eye coordination.
"You have to use your brain," she said with a smile.
But, mostly, the Wii is fun, she said. "I like doing it (playing the Wii) with David."
"It's just fun," said Wickenhauser, of El Paso, who suffered severe memory loss and lost his ability to walk without assistance after getting kidney cancer, a rare liver disease called Stauffer's Syndrome and encephalitis.
Wickenhauser said playing the Wii has helped him with concentration, patience, endurance and balance.
Erickson and Wickenhauser illustrate why BroMenn acquired two Wii systems several months ago and the subsequent success.
"We sometimes, as therapists, get a bad rap from patients who think therapy is work," said Paul Trumbull, a physical therapist and director of rehabilitation services at BroMenn Regional Medical Center. "The Wii makes therapy fun. It makes it easier for them (patients and clients) to participate."
Trumbull became aware of Wii systems being used as part of rehabilitation elsewhere in the country and began investigating.
He found that it was too early for any conclusive studies about the Wii in therapy. But therapists talked and wrote about the benefits their patients had experienced. In addition, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago was beginning a course for therapists on how to use the Wii in therapy.
"For most therapists, it's intuitive that it would work well," Trumbull said.
The Wii requires players to move while playing a game being shown on a television screen. Players, holding a remote, mimic motions for the game, whether it's golf, bowling, tennis, boxing, dancing or a cooking activity. Characters on the screen represent the players and do what the players do, so the players can see the accuracy of their moves.
"We can vary the situations that the patients are in," Trumbull said.
Trumbull and other BroMenn rehabilitation leaders discussed potential benefits and decided to acquire two Wii systems last spring.
Adult Day Services already had a large-screen TV in its family room, so only had to spend about $400 for a Wii. The Acute Rehabilitation Unit received a $1,500 grant from Sam's Club for a Wii and a large-screen TV, which BroMenn put in the unit's therapy gym.
Acute rehab patients -- whose ages range from their 40s to their 90s -- are hospital patients who need more intensive therapy before returning home, Trumbull said. Often, they have had a stroke or a brain tumor, or have had orthopedic or spine surgery.
The Wii is used as a part of therapy in acute rehab three to four days a week, Trumbull said. About 60 percent of acute rehab patients are using the Wii. The typical patient stays in acute rehab for 11 days.
"One of the nice things about the device is you could find an appropriate way to use it with just about any patient," Trumbull said. "The bowling is most often used.
"I don't have any hard and fast data saying that people are getting better faster (because of the Wii)," Trumbull said. "But it feels as if they are. What I'm really finding is they're enjoying it."
Adult Day Services averages 20 to 30 clients each day. Most of the clients are older adults who want some place to go during the day for socialization and mental and physical stimulation while their family members are at work, Wheat said.
"A lot of our clients need help with fine motor coordination (using their fingers, hands and arms) because of a stroke or physical weakness that came with age or lack of use," Wheat said. Cutting up food and writing are among daily activities that become more difficult with fine motor weakness.
Wii helps because clients are moving their entire body without realizing it, Wheat said. Knowing where to stand and swing helps with balance and coordination, she said.
For example, during their Wii golf game on Dec. 8, Wickenhauser and Erickson walked around to get themselves into the proper position, clicked the remote buttons to select the right golf clubs and swung the remote to simulate a golf swing. They did that for about an hour.
"There's a lot of hand-to-eye coordination to get the characters to do what you want them to do," Wheat said.
"I would say a dozen or more of the clients use the system," she said. "The others benefit by watching it."
When he began using the Wii in the summer, Wickenhauser -- still undergoing rehabilitation for his life-threatening illnesses -- needed help standing and was frustrated with anything that required concentration.
"It (Wii) makes you use your brain," he said. "If you want to do well, you have to concentrate."
The Wii has helped Wickenhauser to improve his coordination and fine motor skills, Wheat said.
Erickson still uses a quad cane to walk but doesn't use it while she's playing with the Wii. "It's helping to improve her balance and endurance," Wheat said.
Another client, who was withdrawn, has become more sociable since playing the Wii, she said.
Wheat said the Wii is an example of therapists reaching out to people who may have played video games.
"We're trying to keep our programming up to date," she said.
Wickenhauser said playing the Wii reminds him of his teen years playing video games in the arcade at the mall and his college years when he worked and played golf at El Paso Country Club.
Then he laughed.
"I still can't putt."
------
What's a Wii?
For novices, here's a quick lesson on the Wii:
--Wii is the popular home video game system released by Nintendo in 2006. Nintendo said it chose the name because Wii sounds like "we," which emphasizes that the Wii system is for everyone.
--The distinguishing feature is its wireless controller, the Wii remote, which is used as a handheld pointing device to detect movement in three dimensions.
--Holding the Wii remote, players mimic motions for a game, such as golf, tennis or dancing. Characters on the television screen do what the players do, so the players can see how well they are performing.
SOURCES: Nintendo, Wikipedia
Wickenhauser, 36, and Erickson, 56, weren't golfers on one of Bloomington-Normal's many golf courses. They are BroMenn Adult Day Services' clients recovering from serious illnesses. They were swinging a remote while walking around in front of a large-screen television in the family room at Adult Day Services, 202 E. Locust St., as other clients watched.
The Wii -- the popular video game system -- is being used as a part of rehabilitation with patients on the Acute Rehabilitation Unit of BroMenn Regional Medical Center in Normal and with clients at Adult Day Services.
Balance, coordination, endurance and fine motor skills are among body functions that may be improved through use of the Wii, said Rebecca Wheat, manager of Adult Day Services.
Erickson, of Bloomington, a GTE retiree recovering from a stroke, said playing the Wii has helped her arm strength and hand-to-eye coordination.
"You have to use your brain," she said with a smile.
But, mostly, the Wii is fun, she said. "I like doing it (playing the Wii) with David."
"It's just fun," said Wickenhauser, of El Paso, who suffered severe memory loss and lost his ability to walk without assistance after getting kidney cancer, a rare liver disease called Stauffer's Syndrome and encephalitis.
Wickenhauser said playing the Wii has helped him with concentration, patience, endurance and balance.
Erickson and Wickenhauser illustrate why BroMenn acquired two Wii systems several months ago and the subsequent success.
"We sometimes, as therapists, get a bad rap from patients who think therapy is work," said Paul Trumbull, a physical therapist and director of rehabilitation services at BroMenn Regional Medical Center. "The Wii makes therapy fun. It makes it easier for them (patients and clients) to participate."
Trumbull became aware of Wii systems being used as part of rehabilitation elsewhere in the country and began investigating.
He found that it was too early for any conclusive studies about the Wii in therapy. But therapists talked and wrote about the benefits their patients had experienced. In addition, the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago was beginning a course for therapists on how to use the Wii in therapy.
"For most therapists, it's intuitive that it would work well," Trumbull said.
The Wii requires players to move while playing a game being shown on a television screen. Players, holding a remote, mimic motions for the game, whether it's golf, bowling, tennis, boxing, dancing or a cooking activity. Characters on the screen represent the players and do what the players do, so the players can see the accuracy of their moves.
"We can vary the situations that the patients are in," Trumbull said.
Trumbull and other BroMenn rehabilitation leaders discussed potential benefits and decided to acquire two Wii systems last spring.
Adult Day Services already had a large-screen TV in its family room, so only had to spend about $400 for a Wii. The Acute Rehabilitation Unit received a $1,500 grant from Sam's Club for a Wii and a large-screen TV, which BroMenn put in the unit's therapy gym.
Acute rehab patients -- whose ages range from their 40s to their 90s -- are hospital patients who need more intensive therapy before returning home, Trumbull said. Often, they have had a stroke or a brain tumor, or have had orthopedic or spine surgery.
The Wii is used as a part of therapy in acute rehab three to four days a week, Trumbull said. About 60 percent of acute rehab patients are using the Wii. The typical patient stays in acute rehab for 11 days.
"One of the nice things about the device is you could find an appropriate way to use it with just about any patient," Trumbull said. "The bowling is most often used.
"I don't have any hard and fast data saying that people are getting better faster (because of the Wii)," Trumbull said. "But it feels as if they are. What I'm really finding is they're enjoying it."
Adult Day Services averages 20 to 30 clients each day. Most of the clients are older adults who want some place to go during the day for socialization and mental and physical stimulation while their family members are at work, Wheat said.
"A lot of our clients need help with fine motor coordination (using their fingers, hands and arms) because of a stroke or physical weakness that came with age or lack of use," Wheat said. Cutting up food and writing are among daily activities that become more difficult with fine motor weakness.
Wii helps because clients are moving their entire body without realizing it, Wheat said. Knowing where to stand and swing helps with balance and coordination, she said.
For example, during their Wii golf game on Dec. 8, Wickenhauser and Erickson walked around to get themselves into the proper position, clicked the remote buttons to select the right golf clubs and swung the remote to simulate a golf swing. They did that for about an hour.
"There's a lot of hand-to-eye coordination to get the characters to do what you want them to do," Wheat said.
"I would say a dozen or more of the clients use the system," she said. "The others benefit by watching it."
When he began using the Wii in the summer, Wickenhauser -- still undergoing rehabilitation for his life-threatening illnesses -- needed help standing and was frustrated with anything that required concentration.
"It (Wii) makes you use your brain," he said. "If you want to do well, you have to concentrate."
The Wii has helped Wickenhauser to improve his coordination and fine motor skills, Wheat said.
Erickson still uses a quad cane to walk but doesn't use it while she's playing with the Wii. "It's helping to improve her balance and endurance," Wheat said.
Another client, who was withdrawn, has become more sociable since playing the Wii, she said.
Wheat said the Wii is an example of therapists reaching out to people who may have played video games.
"We're trying to keep our programming up to date," she said.
Wickenhauser said playing the Wii reminds him of his teen years playing video games in the arcade at the mall and his college years when he worked and played golf at El Paso Country Club.
Then he laughed.
"I still can't putt."
------
What's a Wii?
For novices, here's a quick lesson on the Wii:
--Wii is the popular home video game system released by Nintendo in 2006. Nintendo said it chose the name because Wii sounds like "we," which emphasizes that the Wii system is for everyone.
--The distinguishing feature is its wireless controller, the Wii remote, which is used as a handheld pointing device to detect movement in three dimensions.
--Holding the Wii remote, players mimic motions for a game, such as golf, tennis or dancing. Characters on the television screen do what the players do, so the players can see how well they are performing.
SOURCES: Nintendo, Wikipedia
28 December 2008
With Wii bit of help, rehabbers doing fine
MANSFIELD -- He's 67 and recovering from a stroke, but Joe Lakes bowls, boxes and plays golf.
Since the Nintendo Wii was introduced into the occupational therapy program at MedCentral/ Mansfield Hospital, manager Trey Counts said patients have benefited in a variety of ways while enjoying familiar sports all year long.
"The Wii is being used more and more in the rehab setting," Counts said. "We have a lot of patients who have a history of playing sports and being active, so it's nice to be able to offer this to them," Nintendo says on its Website.
The Wii is an interactive videogame system.
"A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detect movement in three dimensions."
Medical News Today reported Wii is being used for rehabilitation in hospitals around the country.
"You have to do the majority of the movements involved in the real-life activity," Counts said. "There are buttons involved, so it's not exactly the same as in real life, but it can become very engaging."
The occupational therapy department, which treats those with head injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, amputations, etc., currently offers 10 different games. Counts said they plan to offer the Wii Fit as soon as one becomes available for purchase.
"Everyone seems to be sold out of them," he said. "These games help the patients work on endurance, balance and range of motion. Some games involved cognitive skills, like sequencing, memory and keeping score."
Lakes said he had a stoke on Nov. 1, which impaired the left side of his body.
"I'm just starting to get feeling back in there, but I had to learn how to balance myself all over again," the Mansfield man said. "The Wii has been great for that. I've tried the bowling and the boxing. With bowling, if you lunge forward too much that can throw off your balance."
Lakes said using the Wii was not difficult.
"Plus, it adds a little bit of fun," he said.
Counts said he believes those as young as 3 and as old as 90 would easily be able to pick up the skills.
"We use these in the rehab stage and have gotten a lot of positive feedback," he said. "We can choose the games based on their goals, but also to get them back into their old habits. If they like to play golf, we can have them play the Wii golf game to get some of those skills back. It's fun, and they don't even realize they're working on balance and endurance. I mean they'll really get fatigued playing some of these."
Occupational therapist Charles Prinz said the Wii doesn't take away from other activities.
"This is just an addition here," he said. "It just makes things a little easier on us. A bowling simulation makes it easier because in the gym, we'd have to have one of our staff members there to set back up the pins and retrieve the ball. Now this frees up someone to do something else."
Prinz added the Wii is not forced on anyone.
"If someone doesn't like sports, then we wouldn't offer this to them," he said. "They'll spend anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour on here. Everyone really seems to enjoy it."
Since the Nintendo Wii was introduced into the occupational therapy program at MedCentral/ Mansfield Hospital, manager Trey Counts said patients have benefited in a variety of ways while enjoying familiar sports all year long.
"The Wii is being used more and more in the rehab setting," Counts said. "We have a lot of patients who have a history of playing sports and being active, so it's nice to be able to offer this to them," Nintendo says on its Website.
The Wii is an interactive videogame system.
"A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and detect movement in three dimensions."
Medical News Today reported Wii is being used for rehabilitation in hospitals around the country.
"You have to do the majority of the movements involved in the real-life activity," Counts said. "There are buttons involved, so it's not exactly the same as in real life, but it can become very engaging."
The occupational therapy department, which treats those with head injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, amputations, etc., currently offers 10 different games. Counts said they plan to offer the Wii Fit as soon as one becomes available for purchase.
"Everyone seems to be sold out of them," he said. "These games help the patients work on endurance, balance and range of motion. Some games involved cognitive skills, like sequencing, memory and keeping score."
Lakes said he had a stoke on Nov. 1, which impaired the left side of his body.
"I'm just starting to get feeling back in there, but I had to learn how to balance myself all over again," the Mansfield man said. "The Wii has been great for that. I've tried the bowling and the boxing. With bowling, if you lunge forward too much that can throw off your balance."
Lakes said using the Wii was not difficult.
"Plus, it adds a little bit of fun," he said.
Counts said he believes those as young as 3 and as old as 90 would easily be able to pick up the skills.
"We use these in the rehab stage and have gotten a lot of positive feedback," he said. "We can choose the games based on their goals, but also to get them back into their old habits. If they like to play golf, we can have them play the Wii golf game to get some of those skills back. It's fun, and they don't even realize they're working on balance and endurance. I mean they'll really get fatigued playing some of these."
Occupational therapist Charles Prinz said the Wii doesn't take away from other activities.
"This is just an addition here," he said. "It just makes things a little easier on us. A bowling simulation makes it easier because in the gym, we'd have to have one of our staff members there to set back up the pins and retrieve the ball. Now this frees up someone to do something else."
Prinz added the Wii is not forced on anyone.
"If someone doesn't like sports, then we wouldn't offer this to them," he said. "They'll spend anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour on here. Everyone really seems to enjoy it."
19 December 2008
Offering a guiding hand
A Eugene-based scientist is testing a robotic device intended to help people improve their handwriting
Sue Palsbo watches 11-year-old Mizuel Alfaro as he tries out a device that her company has assembled to help people with their handwriting.
Rehabilitation scientist Sue Palsbo, of Eugene, says the new generation of interactive video games, such as Nintendo’s Wii, can be a lot more than just fun and games.
The gaming systems can be powerful, yet affordable, tools to improve the lives of people with disabilities and people who are recovering from injuries.
“You go to hospitals now and therapists are talking about ‘Wii-habilitation,’ ” Palsbo says. “The games engage adults and kids to move their bodies in ways that you’re trying to achieve with exercises, but people get bored with exercises.”
So about five years ago, when Palsbo spotted a device for telesurgery at a medical conference, she thought it could be adapted to help people improve, or regain, their ability to write.
Palsbo began to work on her idea and, later, the Canadian software engineer who had programmed the telesurgery device told her about the Novint Falcon, an inexpensive, off-the-shelf gaming accessory that could be modified for her purposes.
That put Palsbo, a research professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., on the path to create My Scrivener, a system to provide repetitive motion training for people who have trouble with fine-motor control of their hands.
Typically, such practice is provided by a therapist working hand-over-hand with a student or patient, which is labor intensive, costly and inexact.
Palsbo hopes My Scrivener will be a less expensive and more efficient way to help a wide range of people, from children with disabilities trying to print more legibly, to Iraq war veterans relearning how to write after suffering from traumatic brain injuries from roadside bombs.
Palsbo’s initial focus is to develop an instrument that therapists can use with children in the classroom. She’s also working with a group from George Mason University, including Lynn Gerber, director of the university’s Center for Study of Chronic Illness and Disability, to explore how the technology might be able to help wounded Iraq war veterans.
“It does have good application for the school environment,” Gerber said. “But if you look at it more broadly, as I did, it’s capable of doing many more things.”
In one fell swoop, she said, the device could be used as a therapeutical tool, it could provide a therapist or clinician with objective measures of a patient’s progress, and it has potential as a diagnostic tool to identify abnormalities in brain function.
Palsbo’s path to develop My Scrivener also led her and her family to Eugene from Virginia two years ago. Palsbo said she had long wanted to live in the Pacific Northwest, and her family has been happy with Eugene’s cultural opportunities and easy access to the ocean and the mountains. They plan to stay in the area and grow their business, Obslap Research, here.
(Palsbo’s first choice for a company name was taken, so she quickly had to come up with an alternative. Obslap is Palsbo in reverse.)
Ultimately, “our hope is we’ll find an investor, and we’ll build the company here, and we’ll be a going concern,” she said.
Last week, Sue, the company’s CEO, and her husband Art, its CFO, showed off My Scrivener to the Robotics Club at Kennedy Middle School.
Many of the club’s 20 members took turns typing in their names, then grasping the Bic pen inserted in the device as it marched across the page, leaving each name printed neatly in blue ink.
“Even robots have better handwriting than I do,” cracked one of the middle schoolers.
It has taken two years for Palsbo, with $575,000 in funding from two Small Business Innovation Research grants from the U.S. Department of Education, to reach this point. And there’s still a long way to go before the invention will be ready to market next year.
“As a research scientist, I’m totally committed to evidence-based research,” Palsbo said. “I do not want to put something out that looks really cool and really spiffy, but doesn’t actually improve fine-motor skills.”
Palsbo also recognizes therapists’ need for the system to include objective measures of legibility.
To create those, Palsbo plans to study the variability in the handwriting of typically developing children with good penmanship. Palsbo is recruiting 18 such children from the local area — three each from kindergarten to grade 5 — to spend about 20 minutes writing with My Scrivener during the winter holiday break. Each of those students will receive a $20 gift certificate from Smith Family Bookstore, Palsbo said. Families with children who are interested in participating may contact Palsbo at 505-7591.
Then, in February or March, Palsbo will begin research trials with 60 local children in special education classes, whose individualized education plans include a goal to improve handwriting. The kids will use My Scrivener for about 30 minutes a day for three weeks, she said.
Palsbo also will be seeking FDA approval of My Scrivener as a medical device.
“If scientific study can prove it’s safe and effective, that the therapists like it and can use it, then at that point we’d seek investors,” she said.
Palsbo has collaborated with numerous partners to create My Scrivener.
George Mason University filed the patent application and will license the intellectual property back to Obslap Research exclusively, Palsbo said.
Palsbo contracted with Oregon State University’s Mechanical, Industrial, & Manufacturing Engineering department to create the attachment to the Novint gaming accessory. The system’s software was developed under contract by the Eugene firm Lunar Logic.
-------------------------
Rehabilitation scientist Sue Palsbo, of Eugene, says the new generation of interactive video games, such as Nintendo’s Wii, can be a lot more than just fun and games. The gaming systems can be powerful, yet affordable, tools to improve the lives of people with disabilities and people who are recovering from injuries. “You go to hospitals now and therapists are talking about ‘Wii-habilitation,’ ” Palsbo says. “The games engage adults and kids to move their bodies in ways that you’re trying to achieve with exercises, but people get bored with exercises.” So about five years ago, when Palsbo spotted a device …
Sue Palsbo watches 11-year-old Mizuel Alfaro as he tries out a device that her company has assembled to help people with their handwriting.
Rehabilitation scientist Sue Palsbo, of Eugene, says the new generation of interactive video games, such as Nintendo’s Wii, can be a lot more than just fun and games.
The gaming systems can be powerful, yet affordable, tools to improve the lives of people with disabilities and people who are recovering from injuries.
“You go to hospitals now and therapists are talking about ‘Wii-habilitation,’ ” Palsbo says. “The games engage adults and kids to move their bodies in ways that you’re trying to achieve with exercises, but people get bored with exercises.”
So about five years ago, when Palsbo spotted a device for telesurgery at a medical conference, she thought it could be adapted to help people improve, or regain, their ability to write.
Palsbo began to work on her idea and, later, the Canadian software engineer who had programmed the telesurgery device told her about the Novint Falcon, an inexpensive, off-the-shelf gaming accessory that could be modified for her purposes.
That put Palsbo, a research professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., on the path to create My Scrivener, a system to provide repetitive motion training for people who have trouble with fine-motor control of their hands.
Typically, such practice is provided by a therapist working hand-over-hand with a student or patient, which is labor intensive, costly and inexact.
Palsbo hopes My Scrivener will be a less expensive and more efficient way to help a wide range of people, from children with disabilities trying to print more legibly, to Iraq war veterans relearning how to write after suffering from traumatic brain injuries from roadside bombs.
Palsbo’s initial focus is to develop an instrument that therapists can use with children in the classroom. She’s also working with a group from George Mason University, including Lynn Gerber, director of the university’s Center for Study of Chronic Illness and Disability, to explore how the technology might be able to help wounded Iraq war veterans.
“It does have good application for the school environment,” Gerber said. “But if you look at it more broadly, as I did, it’s capable of doing many more things.”
In one fell swoop, she said, the device could be used as a therapeutical tool, it could provide a therapist or clinician with objective measures of a patient’s progress, and it has potential as a diagnostic tool to identify abnormalities in brain function.
Palsbo’s path to develop My Scrivener also led her and her family to Eugene from Virginia two years ago. Palsbo said she had long wanted to live in the Pacific Northwest, and her family has been happy with Eugene’s cultural opportunities and easy access to the ocean and the mountains. They plan to stay in the area and grow their business, Obslap Research, here.
(Palsbo’s first choice for a company name was taken, so she quickly had to come up with an alternative. Obslap is Palsbo in reverse.)
Ultimately, “our hope is we’ll find an investor, and we’ll build the company here, and we’ll be a going concern,” she said.
Last week, Sue, the company’s CEO, and her husband Art, its CFO, showed off My Scrivener to the Robotics Club at Kennedy Middle School.
Many of the club’s 20 members took turns typing in their names, then grasping the Bic pen inserted in the device as it marched across the page, leaving each name printed neatly in blue ink.
“Even robots have better handwriting than I do,” cracked one of the middle schoolers.
It has taken two years for Palsbo, with $575,000 in funding from two Small Business Innovation Research grants from the U.S. Department of Education, to reach this point. And there’s still a long way to go before the invention will be ready to market next year.
“As a research scientist, I’m totally committed to evidence-based research,” Palsbo said. “I do not want to put something out that looks really cool and really spiffy, but doesn’t actually improve fine-motor skills.”
Palsbo also recognizes therapists’ need for the system to include objective measures of legibility.
To create those, Palsbo plans to study the variability in the handwriting of typically developing children with good penmanship. Palsbo is recruiting 18 such children from the local area — three each from kindergarten to grade 5 — to spend about 20 minutes writing with My Scrivener during the winter holiday break. Each of those students will receive a $20 gift certificate from Smith Family Bookstore, Palsbo said. Families with children who are interested in participating may contact Palsbo at 505-7591.
Then, in February or March, Palsbo will begin research trials with 60 local children in special education classes, whose individualized education plans include a goal to improve handwriting. The kids will use My Scrivener for about 30 minutes a day for three weeks, she said.
Palsbo also will be seeking FDA approval of My Scrivener as a medical device.
“If scientific study can prove it’s safe and effective, that the therapists like it and can use it, then at that point we’d seek investors,” she said.
Palsbo has collaborated with numerous partners to create My Scrivener.
George Mason University filed the patent application and will license the intellectual property back to Obslap Research exclusively, Palsbo said.
Palsbo contracted with Oregon State University’s Mechanical, Industrial, & Manufacturing Engineering department to create the attachment to the Novint gaming accessory. The system’s software was developed under contract by the Eugene firm Lunar Logic.
-------------------------
Rehabilitation scientist Sue Palsbo, of Eugene, says the new generation of interactive video games, such as Nintendo’s Wii, can be a lot more than just fun and games. The gaming systems can be powerful, yet affordable, tools to improve the lives of people with disabilities and people who are recovering from injuries. “You go to hospitals now and therapists are talking about ‘Wii-habilitation,’ ” Palsbo says. “The games engage adults and kids to move their bodies in ways that you’re trying to achieve with exercises, but people get bored with exercises.” So about five years ago, when Palsbo spotted a device …
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