Barry Brewer Playing Wii Sports

We all know that Nintendo has done great things with the Wii in reaching out to different demographics than your average gamer. Now hospitals have started using the system to make rehabilitation sessions more enjoyable.

54 year-old Barry Brewer, who recently underwent hip replacement surgery at Mercy Fairfield Hospital in Cincinnati, has been playing Wii Sports to work on his balance and flexibility.

“Basically I was up on my feet unsupported, simulating the action to hit a forehand… For a half hour while I was in the gymnasium (at the hospital), I didn’t even think about the hospital. I’d been there a whole week and it was getting kind of dreary.”

Craig Schmidt, director of clinical support services at the hospital, had to stand in line at Best Buy for hours to pick up the system, which Mercy started using just this week.

“”They can work on balance and weight-bearing standing, plus have a little competition mixed in. I’d like to see it as a staple of our rehab program,” Schmidt said.

Mercy isn’t the only hospital employing the use of the Wii. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has been using the console as well, helping patients of bone-marrow transplants.

Via The Enquirer