Nintendo Wii Fanboy

We all know about the relationship between surgeons and the Wii. No, we don't mean Trauma Center, we mean real-life doctors using the tech behind the Wii to train them for surgery. This piece from ABC7 news in California shows one hospital where it's being put to work.

Surgical resident, Jeff Henke, commented that "this does really help." He further added that it "prepares you to enter the operating room." Now, we may be a bit biased, but we're not surprised that the Wii is such a diverse system. it's used to doing what no video game console could in the past.

[Via Codename Revolution]

Sick kids are in for some fun, thanks to Nintendo and the Starlight Foundation. The Wii is heading for hundreds of hospitals in North America and Canada, all bundled up in Fun Centers packed with awesome stuff. Rehabilitation seems to be the Wii's favorite word, as Nintendo manufactures 1250 Fun Centers -- with 500 to be in place by the end of the year.

The Fun Centers come with a Sharp flat-screen TV, a DVD player and a Wii with a bunch of games including Super Mario Galaxy, Wii Sports and Mario Party 8. What, you were expecting Resident Evil 4?

Paula Van Ness of Starlight said "Our Fun Centers transform the hospital experience for children, bringing enjoyment and laughter to an otherwise daunting experience." Yeah, damn straight it's daunting -- and what did the friendly hospital staff bring this blogger when he was down and out with appendicitis? Battletoads. Yeah, the most ball-breakingly difficult game ever conceived didn't make the hospital stay any more fun.

[Via press release]

Where in the past Wii Sports has been the ideal Wii-based solution for rehabilitation patients, Nintendo's newest craze, Wii Fit, is now stepping up to show everyone that it has something to offer outside of a really fun hula hoop mini-game. Now, sports trainers are looking to Wii Fit to help rehabilitate injured athletes.

"We are looking to incorporate Wii Fit into the athletic training room as far as rehabilitation, for example, on post-operative knees and ankles," said Sue Stanley-Green, professor of athletic training at Florida Southern College. She noted that the success of the console in other rehab scenarios fueled their interest in Wii Fit, stating that "Fitness-oriented video games are also being used more and more in nursing homes for rehabilitation," also adding "Fitness video games have some really good potential to improve fitness in everyone."



[Via Engadget]

CNN is all over the Wii Fit thing. First, they had Mario Armstrong come in and demo the package for them, now Dr. Sanjay Gupta is taking time out to discuss the benefits of using games as a health tool, namely in the rehabilitation sector. We've heard stories about places using Wii to help rehabilitate their patients, but it's now gaining more ground, as Dr. Gupta mentions the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is funding 12 different studies that will specifically see if games can be used as a means for making us healthier individuals.

If all the serious medical talk bores you, then laugh at the CNN employees doing the hula hoop minigame while one the Balance Board. They really get into it.


[Via Go Nintendo]

Considering the Wii has been on shelves for over a year, we wouldn't call this "breaking news," but mainstream media hasn't ever been all that informed about gaming. Still, it's nice to see the console being covered from an angle other than "video games turn your child into a psycho killer." That and a 30-minute session of Wii three times a week can really help in the physical recovery process. It really is a wonderful little system.

See also: Video games more effective than medication for pain?

[Via Go Nintendo]

The mass appeal of the Wii is something we, as well as you, fine reader (seriously, you look good, are you using a new shampoo?) know full well. Retirement communities, rehabilitation centers and now, even some gyms are utilizing it. Heck, we wouldn't be surprised if the console one day cured cancer on its own (probably using Wii Sports).

The latest center to take part in the phenomenon is none other than Bridgeport Hospital's Ahlbin Centers Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit. There, stroke victim Barbara Everlith is enjoying the wonders of the console, taking part in Wii Sports: Tennis and finding a new and exciting treatment option. Why, in the six weeks since beginning the program, her therapist Courtney Benedetto has said that Barbara has already gained some movement in her left hand. And, it's all thanks to the Wii.

[Via Tech.Blorge]

You know full well that senior citizens have been getting their game on with the Wii like crazy folk. Now, at the Briton House Retirement Residence, a short workshop was conducted so that seniors in the retirement community could learn more about the Wii and its health benefits, hopefully putting to rest any apprehensions or apathy these seniors might have had towards not only the Wii, but gaming in general. For some, it seems to have worked.

Barbara Foley, 85 years young, says her grand kids all play and often exclaim that it isn't difficult at all. She remained skeptical and decided not to indulge, only later realizing her mistake when the opportunity to play arose at Briton. "I liked it," she exclaimed immediately after playing, further adding "Kids today really know something."

Oh, you have no idea the things we know ...