Gaming and Good Health
From: Medical Design Technology - 09/02/2014
By: Sam Brusco

Balance boards, such as the one originally designed for the Wii Fit game,
have been utilized for more than fun and exercise. They have been considered
as a rehabilitation treatment for the elderly and stroke patients in order to
improve balance control that has deteriorated due to old age or neurological
damage from a stroke. Using the Wii Balance Board as a controller for a video
game, entertainment value is injected into the rehabilitation, and the
treatment becomes far more enjoyable. In-game achievements mask the laborious
aspects of the treatment. Instead of following a pre-determined (and frankly,
often boring) rehabilitation plan, patients can skateboard, surf, or ski
their way to improved balance control.

The video game regimen presents a unique benefit compared to more
conventional rehabilitation treatments for the elderly, stroke patients, and
those with MS alike. Moving around on the balance board transports the users
to a world where they are free from their physical limitations. Since the Wii
Balance Board is designed to convert the user’s movements into in-game
stunts, the user can experience the thrill of snowboarding with Shaun White,
water-skiing on the open ocean, or becoming head cheerleader for a squad.
This type of encouragement would certainly hit home with patients who become
depressed as a result of their disabilities. Loss of motivation can be
prevented for any rehabilitation through the application of an exciting
treatment. Although these types of games won’t necessarily be integral in a
rehabilitation regimen, they can certainly supplement the program. Those with
disabilities will be encouraged to complete their training by the
professional athletes they can become – virtually.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.mdtmag.com/blogs/2014/09/gaming-and-good-health

Links:
Use of the Wii Fit system for the treatment of balance problems in the
  elderly: A feasibility study 
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?tp=&arnumber=5174215

Chances for serious games in rehabilitation of stroke patients on the example
  of utilizing the Wii Fit Balance Board 
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6665319