Tarheel Footprints

Can the Wii aid in physical development?  What games should I have for my child to play on the Wii?  Why do you use the Wii in physical therapy with my child?  Do you ever seen functional gains when children use the Wii on a regular basis?

These are all questions I hear from parents when we discuss incorporating the Wii into a child's physical therapy intervention or for home use. 

A recent article reported that 83% of American youth have AT LEAST one video game console in their bedroom.  And a typical child, between the ages of 8 and 10 years, spends on average 65 minutaes a day playing a video game!(1)  Those statistics are a little mind boggling, but what it tells me as a pediatric physical therapist, is there is a world of interest to be tapped for cardiorespiratory, balance, and coordination training. 

The Wii is a unique system in that for many games it encourages movement.  Some games; such as Wii Play, Wii Sports, and Wii Party, provide immediate biofeedback by responding to upper extremity movements.  Research indicates that when played properly these games can lead to improved upper extremity coordination, fine motor integration and visual perceptual skills(2).  Just playing upper extremity games in standing leads to 116% increase in energy expenditure(1). 

My favorite component of the Wii system is the Wii balance board.  This is available with the Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus games.  The balance board is very responsive to weight shifts and balance reactions.  There are many ways to address balance impairments in physical therapy, but the children tend to respond best on the balance board due to the enjoyment and child-friendly biofeedback.  The Wii Fit board encourages both upper and lower extremity use and has been shown to improved running speed and agility and balance reactions(2,3).  These improvements lead to improved functional abilities!  Also using just the lower extremities, as in the obstacle course and penguin games on the Wii Fit, demonstrated 212% increase in energy expenditure(1).  Some games on the Wii Fit require utilizing both the upper and lower extremities together.  These games focus on integrating bilateral coordination and motor planning, such as tilt city and boxing.  Research has found a 275% increase in energy expenditure when playing bilateral games(1). 

So.....
Can the Wii aid in physical development? YES if played properly!

Bottom Line - As with anything use in moderation and the Wii cannot make up for playing outside, playing a sport, or getting on a real bicycle, not a virtual bicycle! 

Citations
(1)Biddiss, E.  Active Video Games to Promote Physical Activity.
(2)Wuang, Y, et.al. Effectiveness of virtual reality using Wii gaming technology in children with Down Syndrome.
(3)Deutsch, J, et.al. Use of a Low-Cost, Commercially Available Gaming Console (Wii) for Rehabilitation of an Adolescent with Cerebral Palsy.

Image: Wikipedia