Therapists Say Wii Not so Good for PT After All

Jan. 23 10:42 AM by Alicia Ashby

It's easy to fall into thinking that the Wii is some sort of miracle tool that invigorates the elderly, heals brain damage, and helps you recover from a broken wrist. The therapists in the Metro Detroit health system, however, think that's so much empty hype.

Instead, the facility decided to invest an estimated $7,000 in another interactive virtual reality video game, the Cybex Trazer, because it tracks movement in the entire body, said Sharon Angeline, assistant director of the Troy Beaumont rehab services who works out of the Macomb Township office.

"(The Wii) is a good, fun way to do some initial exercises with the upper extremities," Angeline said. "The concern is it doesn't simulate the whole sports exercise, and we're concerned that there is overuse of the arm. In therapy, we want more functional movement."