Using Video Games in Physical Therapy

Picture what you consider to be the typical physical therapy exercise. Most people  would probably imagine a lot of weights, stretching, and maybe a treadmill. However, because the physical therapy landscape is constantly changing and adapting to the technology around us, that means that many practices are incorporating video games into patient treatment plans.

As a future physical therapist, I have thought about my preferred specialization for years and have narrowed it down to two that seem to be continuously changing. In the pediatric and sport medicine worlds, treatment protocols are constantly changing and in order to be at the top of your field as a physical therapist, you have to stay up to date with the new technology and change your practices along the way. One of the ways therapy treatments are changing is by incorporating more technology into your treatment plans. In 2011, a group of students at Rice University developed a video game marketed specifically for getting kids more excited about improving their gait and balance by incorporating the Wii Balance Board and weighted balance bars.2 In the game, patients would shoot monsters (like any kid would want to do) and the game would increase in difficulty as they progressed in strength and balance.

Incorporating fun into exercise is not a new concept. I would be willing to bet that the last time you went out and ran or went to the gym and lifted weights, you listened to music during your workout. Adding entertainment and breaking up the monotony of physical therapy follows that same line of thinking, if the exercise is fun patients will be more willing to work hard. Some practices have even gone a step further and incorporated a virtual reality element to their treatment plans. They use systems such as the Interactive Virtual Reality Exercise System (IREX) or Computer Assisted Rehabilitation ENvironment (CAREN).1 These systems allow physical therapists to create a fully customized virtual reality treatment environment for their patients.

Example of a virtual reality apparatus used in physical therapy.
Consists of a motion sensing mat, projector screen, pulleys, etc.

While still relatively expensive, I hope that the use of technology such as CAREN, IREX, or the Wii becomes more and more common throughout the coming years. I believe that incorporating technology into daily treatment will make it seem like less of a dreaded task and more of something that the patient is excited to do. This will not only help the patient heal, but it will also make therapy fun and more enjoyable.

References:

1Team, F. (2016, April 03). CAREN System Adds Fun and Variety to MS Physical Therapy. Retrieved February 22, 2017, from http://www.fitness-gaming.com/news/markets/health-and-rehab/caren-system-adds-fun-and-variety-to-ms-physical-therapy.html#.WK3bJPnyu9I

2Webb, P. (2011, October 11). Video Games and Physical Therapy: Just Cool or Does It Really Work? Retrieved February 22, 2017, from http://www.physiospot.com/sponsors/video-games-and-physical-therapy-just-cool-or-does-it-really-work/