May 21, 2012
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Reporter: Zac Schultz Email

Wii-hab: Interactive Video Games Used in Physical Therapy

Madison: In March of 2006 Officer Derrick Jones was dealing with a drunk on State Street when he severely injured his shoulder. "He tried to resist so I had to subdue him and that's how I got injured-tore my rotator (cuff)."

Surgery last September revealed he had arthritis as well as a torn rotator cuff. "I'm dealing with a lot of very dibilitating pain-shooting pains," says Jones.

He going through some grueling exercises, but for the past month Jones has also been playing video games on the Nintendo Wii. "They told me they were going to work on my shooting, but I didn't realize it was something that was going to be fun at the same time."

Dave Nissenbaum is the Director of the Sport & Spine Clinic. He started using the Wii and its interactive games two months ago after an employee brought in her son's. "There were some patients that were a little surprised-like why are we doing this? That's not the normal therapy they've had. We've had patients that were really excited and really enjoyed it."

Nissenbaum says the Wii creates a bridge between traditional exercises and the real thing. "A lot of people have found that it's been an easier transition back to their sport since being able to use the Wii."

Jones hasn't fired a real gun since his injury, and this shooting game and a weight pad are getting him ready for the shooting range. "Get it in my mind that I can point steady and use it that will help me."

Nissenbaum says 4 patients use the Wii every week, and another 6 use it once in a while.


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