The Wii was always going to be in a completely different class to other gaming platforms. It took a unique approach from the start, arguably an approach that all games should have; a reality driven one. No real surprise then that the Wii has found a new niche in the world of therapy.
The Wii’s latest nickname, earned for entertaining therapy is “Wiihabilitation” and it points toward a core difference between the Wii and competing PS3 and Xbox 360, which focus more on hardcore adult gamers.
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Well, of course the Wii has a “core difference” to the other competing gaming platforms. There’s really been nothing quite like it – ever!
Medics are using the Wii to encourage body movements “similar to traditional therapy but [that provide] so much distraction patients do not notice the discomfort,” according to Telegraph.
The Wii can do that to you. Time flies when you’re having fun, and therapy can obviously be fun when it’s the Wii that’s the focus. I can easily imagine getting well through playing on the Wii!
James Osborn who oversees rehabilitation services at Herrin Hospital in southern Illinois says “even though you may be boxing or playing tennis against some figure on the screen, it’s amazing how many of our patients want to beat their opponent.”
Beating the opponent is what it’s all about. We seem to have an inate desire to flatten things. Normally we don’t attack other humans, but when they are represented on a screen, and no one actually gets hurt, then even frail old ladies will give it an extra whack, just for the heck of it!
Though players battling in Halo for Xbox 360 are sure to feel the bloodlust for victory too, most of that rage will have to be channeled through a few fingers and thumbs moving back and forth. Welcome back to the era of Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and Playstation. But of course the graphics and sound are far superior now and bonuses like a DVD or Blu-ray player are thrown into the mix. Xbox 360 and PS3 are focused on convergence while Wii is continuing to find new ways to game.
That’s the whole thing in a nutshell; Nintendo with the Wii are seeking out the new, the innovative way, the final frontier, if you like – “To boldly go…” and all that stuff. Is it any wonder that Wii love it?
To be fair, the benefits of Wiihabilitation haven’t been well quantified yet, “researchers at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis are working with the University of Minnesota to design a study to measure how patients’ function are affected by Wii therapy.”
Let’s put it this way. I’ll be amazed if they don’t find that the Wii is good for therapy. It just makes sense! All that boring old-fashioned therapuetic stuff may work to some extent. but I’ll bet that movement based on an exciting adventure like a good Wii game will work better.
Nintendo also doesn’t market the Wii as a device to enhance physical therapy, though that’s not stopping it from developing Wii Fit which claims to provide “an extensive array of fun and dynamic activities, including aerobics, yoga, muscle stretches and games.”
Yes, Nintendo are obviously aware of the benefits to be gained from playing the Wii, which demands a degree of exercise. Yes, Playstation and Xbox consoles will certainly exercise your fingers, but actually standing up and moving will provide better exercise every time. That’s the difference!
Source: Gamer.Blorge.com