A hospital in Leeds, England is using the Wii Fit to rehabilitate amputees and provide physical therapy to patients who are in the transition of incorporating prosthetic limbs into their daily lives.
Physiotherapists at Seacroft Hospital say that patients often have difficulty "getting their weight through the prosthetic limb." But with the aid of the Wii Fit, patients can quickly assess their weight and balance.
As Wii Fit games work on core stability and balance, it's an ideal tool to rehabilitate patients with their balance, control, as well as how to work a prosthetic limb in with an existing real limb.
Using the Balance Board, a patient can ascertain his/her center of gravity along with the assistance of a physical therapist. Relearning how to walk is a vital aspect of improving the quality of life for amputees.
What an ingenious way to do something as grueling and tedious as physical therapy. Especially for amputees -- whose hopes of ever playing sports again may be lost -- being able to ski or play football, even if only in virtual reality, has got to feel great.
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