Army hospital is prescribing rounds of Wii gaming for wounded troops...

Previously, the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center recommended squeezing rubber balls and solving puzzles as a form or physical therapy. Now they are experimenting in using the Wii as a form of physical therapy.

Spc. Shawn Roberts of the 581st Signal Company volunteered to be a test subject for this new form of treatment when he broke his wrist and elbow and partially tore his rotator cuff in a vehicle accident. He couldn't move his arm for a month due to the implanted screws. His treatment involves games that are tailored to hid injury, such as Wii Sports Tennis and the Laser Hockey minigame from Wii Play. Roberts found that he did a lot more exercise than with current conventional methods because his mind was on the game, not his movements.

Occupational therapy technician, Sgt. Bryan Vallerie, stated that the console would not replace any current methods, just simply enhance the treatment, describing the console as a "a healthy, fun alternative to doing these things."

Therapists think that the console could be used to benefit patients with nearly any kind of injury, including traumatic brain injuries. The Army hospital is planning to analyse the success of the console in enhancing treatment. Who knows, the Wii may eventually become standard equipment in hospitals.