We’ve heard reports on the Nintendo Wii being displayed in public services such as retirement homes, but therapy? Physical therapists over at Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis use the console to aid stroke patients in recovering from their illness. Hard to believe the results have shown tremendous improvement.

Jerry Pope, a former tennis player, found his groove with Wii Sports tennis as it helps him regain his balance and the use of his arms. He suffered a debilitating stroke back in June.

“Not only am I moving the hand, my feet are moving, I am jumping around, it is as if I am really playing the game. It is motivational, makes you feel like you are progressing, even if you are not and that helps you,” he said.

Matthew White (Occupational therapist) also sees the benefit of keeping a Nintendo Wii in the hospital:

“He was still having trouble getting up, balancing and walking and that is significantly improved as you can see. His foot work and working on the tennis, he is doing so well … made a remarkable recovery in general. His arm movements, reaction and timing have improved significantly,” he said. “We are using the Nintendo Wii system as a way to practice re-learning movements we used to know how to do and we know the brain can make changes if we can give it lots and lots of practice.”

You can read the original story over at WCCO.