Monday, March 1, 2010

Restoring Function Motoric Tool for Stroke patients, with Nintendo Wii

Nintendo Wii, restoring Function Motor Tool
Stroke patients who play the Wii get the motor function improvement is higher.
Some scientists have recently concluded their research. Apparently, virtual reality gaming technology used by the Nintendo Wii game console can also be used in the medical world.
At the 2010 International Stroke Conference held by the American Stroke Association, the experts showed that stroke patients who experienced a decrease in severe motor function can benefit from movements using Wiimote, the controller used by Nintendo Wii.

This treatment method is effective and safe for the victims of stroke.
"This is the first medical research showing that virtual reality using the Wii gaming technology is feasible and safe and potentially effective in improving motor function after stroke," said Gustavo Saposnik, Research Unit Director St. Michael's Hospital, as quoted from ScienceDaily VIVAnews, February 27, 2010.
Nevertheless, Saposnik mentioned, these findings need to be confirmed again in a clinical trial in particular.
From the initial research, 20 stroke patients with an average age of 61 years divided into several groups. One group was asked to play the card game, the next group to play the game to stack things, and group play Tennis terakhi or Cooking Mama on the Nintendo Wii.

Research carried out for 2 weeks. At that time, in every session throughout the 60 minutes, patients were asked to play games assigned to him intensively. The study began about two months after the patient suffered a stroke.

"Virtual reality using the concept of repetitive tasks with a high intensity, and the specific activity of certain nerve mengaktikan related," said Saposnik. "Rehabilitation requires the effective application of these principles," he said.
In essence, Saposnik said, the institute found that patients in the group that played a Nintendo Wii to get the motor function improvement is higher, especially in the speed of movement and strength holding goods. "However, it's too early to recommend this approach in general," said Saposnik. "Research with larger scale with a more varied patient needs and is now done," he said.
source