Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Wiihab - Just What Rehab Doctor Ordered
Wiihab? Physical therapists at Momentum Physical Therapy Center in Columbus, Ohio are prescribing Nintendo Wiis for some of their patients. It is also used at the Transplex Center for Medicine and Rehabilitation in Philadelphia.
(Physical therapists prescribe Wii time in Oz)
When I watch my son play, he really gets into it. He jumps, he hops, he's all over the living room. Apparently, patients also get a workout.
"Oh it's an excellent workout. You're going to feel it the next day. You get a good cardiovascular workout and your muscles will be fatigued," states patient Sean Ruckman at Momentum.
The physical therapy staff at Momentum claim that the Wii has helped patients of all ages and diagnoses; balance and range of motion are particularly affected.
"Some people call it 'rehabtainment.' It's kind of using rehab and entertainment at the same time. It really gets them into the game or into the thing so they don't even realize they're doing therapy," says Momentum Physical Therapist Lance Kelly.
Ned Crane, DPT, Director of Rehabilitation at Transplex believes the Wii can help patients build balance, coordination, and endurance as well as upper and lower body strength. Patients find the Wii system a fun way to help achieve their rehabilitation goals, and continue to set new goals and challenges.
As far as science fiction is concerned, Federation doctors have recommended the use of virtual reality environments like the holodeck for relaxation and rehabilitation for many seasons.
Now that the Wii has broken the ice, let's see if we can't get patients really moving:
- VirtuSphere Immersive VR Hamster Ball
VirtuSphere provides a mechnical basis for truly immersive virtual reality environments, permitting the user to move about in virtual space by simply walking. - Virtual Girlfriends Updated
Keeping your patient interested is the first step towards healing. - Wiimote Head-Tracking VR Display
To get patients moving in three dimensions, you need three dimensions!
Via the news on my son's Wii! and Nintendo Wii Is Not Just a Game and Philadelphia Physical Therapist Prescribes Wii Time.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 2/8/2008)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 0 )
Related News Stories - (" Medical ")
MouthPad Supports Head And Tongue Tracking
'The operation that had transformed half his body... had located the control switchboard in his teeth.'- Alfred Bester, 1956.
Drug Induces Hibernation-Like State In Humans
'... drugged and chilled and stowed in sleep tanks.' - Robert Heinlein, 1951.
Drug To Regenerate Teeth In Humans
'We want to do something to help those who are suffering from tooth loss or absence,' said lead researcher Katsu Takahashi.
Illustrating Classic Heinlein With AI
'Stasis, cold sleep, hibernation, hypothermia, reduced metabolism, call it what you will - the logistics-medicine research teams had found a way to stack people like cordwood and use them when needed.' - Robert Heinlein, 1956
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
Mechazilla Arms Catch A Falling Starship, But Check Out SF Landing-ARMS
'...the rocket’s landing-arms automatically unfolded.'
A System To Defeat AI Face Recognition
'...points and patches of light... sliding all over their faces in a programmed manner that had been designed to foil facial recognition systems.'
Robot Hand Separate From Robot
'The crawling, exploring object was V-Stephen's surgeon-hand...'
Hybrid Wind Solar Devices
'...the combined Wind-Suncatcher, like a spray of tulips mounted fanwise.'
Is Optimus Autonomous Or Teleoperated?
'I went to the control room where the three other men were manipulating their mechanical men.'
Robot Masseuse Rubs People The Right Way
'The automatic massager began to fumble gently...'
Solar-Powered Space Trains On The Moon
'The low-slung monorail car, straddling its single track, bored through the shadows on a slowly rising course.'
Drone Deliveries Instead Of Waiters In Restaurants?
'It was a smooth ovoid floating a few inches from the floor...'
Optimus Robot Can Charge Itself
'... he thrust in his charging arm to replenish his store of energy.'
Skip Movewear Arc'teryx AI Pants
'...the terrible Jovian gravity that made each movement an effort.'
'Robovan' Name Already Taken - Elon, Try These
There are alternative names that are probably in the public domain by now.
How Old Are Tesla Designs?
You be the judge.
Is Your Autonomous Tractor Safe?
'The field-minder finished turning the top-soil of a two-thousand-acre field.'
Smart TVs Are Listening!
'You had to live -- did live, from habit that became instinct -- in the assumption that every sound you made was overheard...'
Police Drones In China Would Like To Have A Word With You
''OVERRIDE,' the City Fathers said suddenly, without being asked anything at all.'
Oh Great (Part 2), Fence-Climbing Robots
Please, no stingers.
