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More Wiisearch: Helping Stroke Patients
Posted by Owen Good at 3:00 AM on September 22, 2008
It seems like we these "health researchers using Wii in study" stories about once a month but, anyway, Oxford University, last I heard, was a pretty good school. And they're looking at the Wii as a means to help stroke patients relearn simple tasks.
The study is a little more subtle than other research involving the Wii (training surgeons, for example) -- the motion sensors might be useful for monitoring patients' progress in physiotherapy. Apparently, one of the biggest challenges patients face is constant discouragement from not being able to see, or really understand, the progress they're making. The motion sensors can also tailor exercises to a patient's range of motion.
The research is based on a previous study in which motion-capture technology was used to analyse the walking patterns of children affected by cerebral palsy. The Wii's sensors offer a scalable way to examine and monitor patients. It's envisioned that patients would first be examined using a full-camera setup in a lab, and then switch to a home monitor that incorporates cheaper motion sensors such as those found in the Wii. There's a video of this at the link below.
This isn't the only instance of consumer technology leading the way in other fields of serious research. Not by a long shot. For example, my favourite Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Carl Wieman of the University of British Columbia (formerly Colorado), used diode lasers like those found in CD players to help create the first Bose-Einstein condensate in 1995. Sometimes, you send a guy into space and get back Teflon, Tang, Velcro and Dippin Dots. And sometimes you develop Wii Sports and get back new forms of therapy.
Stroke Patients to Test Sensors [BBC]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
rich8606
Posted 3:47 AM 22/9/08
Hmmm, Wii helps stroke patients, PS3 cures cancer and the 360... unman the US army frontline. Splendid.
[tinyurl.com]
rich8606
robinandtami
Posted 3:46 AM 22/9/08
I work in the physical therapy department of a nursing home. We've been using the Wii for therapy since long before you ever started seeing the internet stories pop up about Wii's & oldsters. In fact, when my company saw what we were doing in my home; they bought a Wii for all of their therapy departments in all their homes.
It has been a FANTASTIC supplement to the routine exercises and procedures. People put more effort into the Wii exercises (and therefore see more result) because they are just more fun.
It will be a WONDERFUL thing if they can creat some games and exercises that are more geared towards those with limited motion. Right now, we get the most use of our Wii with injury patients like hip and knee replacements. Even some of the easiest games, like Wii Play fishing and cow riding, are too difficult for some of our more severe stroke patients who have very limited mobility.
On a more personal note, my mother in law had a totally devestating brain stem stroke at the young age of 52. It was the type of stroke that would have killed 95% of people, but because she was so young and physically fit; she survived. She can not speak. Has to eat pureed foods and drink thickened liquids, and still has choking episodes at almost every meal. No movement on her right side and very limited movement on the left. She lives in the nursing home where I work, but we bring her home once a month to spend the night. She was here last night and we had her 54th birthday party. We ended up Wii bowling after cake and ice cream. She couldn't do it without help, but she still laughed her ass off and ahd fun.
So as a professional dealing with these issues, and as a human being dealing with a loved one with these issues; I say Bravo and keep at it.
robinandtami
firstworldman
Posted 3:34 AM 22/9/08
Stupendous!
firstworldman
Kenofthedead
Posted 3:22 AM 22/9/08
Graphic cards made for video games helping medical imaging.
DDR used to help get kids in shape for gym classes.
Brain Age to help keep minds active for those suffering from Alzheimer's.
America's Army informing a lad about CPR to help his family.
Now this.
Games, making the world better one high score at a time.
Kenofthedead
fishbonez
Posted 3:21 AM 22/9/08
I wish they could apply the wiis to grammar and spell check:
"It seems like we these"
fishbonez
deathbunny
Posted 3:18 AM 22/9/08
To stroke the patient, hold the wiimote vertically, and make gradual swooping motions while pressing and then releasing the A button.
When the patient has been stroked sufficiently, the Wiimote will vibrate briefly, and sigh.
deathbunny
KSPRAYDAD
Posted 3:10 AM 22/9/08
Consumer tech in research:
Lobotomies: leucotome = Knitting needle?
KSPRAYDAD
thelastslice
Posted 3:10 AM 22/9/08
Seems there's a lot of money for the company that just makes therapy games for the Wii...
thelastslice
Midnightchronicles
Posted 3:09 AM 22/9/08
Great news,at least now people(outside of the gaming community) can see videogames as more than toys --'...
Midnightchronicles
CmdrBladeHearts
Posted 3:08 AM 22/9/08
Well it's good that people are applying the wiis affordable motion technology to real world applications.
CmdrBladeHearts
roscoe
Posted 4:53 AM 22/9/08
@rich8606: haha, irony.
roscoe
RWHC
Posted 4:52 AM 22/9/08
What I'd also really like to see is the Balance Board used in measurement and assessment of balance and coordination. This would definitely help in retraining patients with neurological problems.
As a PT m'self, I am highly appreciative of the possibilities afforded by this generation of consoles for real world use. In the case of the Wii balance board, I think it's amazing that they were able to put that kind of technology and engineering and produce it on such a large scale.
RWHC
robinandtami
Posted 6:36 AM 22/9/08
@RWHC: I had a double knee replacement score 50 seconds on the skiing game on his first try. My highest score is still 52 seconds. I could beat him if I used a walker too dammit!
robinandtami