Or you could get a 16.95 balance board from Amazon. But that would have no scientific trials proving it worked so if a clinical trial has not been run then it can't work. A tree falls in the forest, etc.
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/maney/ptr/2012/00000017/00000005/art00006
Abstract:
Background:
Normal standing requires ongoing postural adjustments while performing a
variety of everyday tasks. Reduced muscle strength and dexterity affect
the ability to stand after stroke. Biofeedback has been shown to be
effective in training lower limb activities in people with stroke.
Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii Balance Board, and Nintendo Wii Fit Plus are
potentially useful devices for providing feedback to train standing
after stroke.
Objectives: What specific Nintendo Wii Fit Plus games are suitable for rehabilitation of standing in patients with stroke?
Method: A
criteria-based review of the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was carried out to
determine the movements required, feedback provided, demands upon the
patient, difficulty of and instruction provided by the Nintendo Wii Fit
Plus games in the context of stroke rehabilitation. Seventy-five
Nintendo Wii Fit Plus games were reviewed and 20 were included for
in-depth review.
Major findings:
The games require movements of the centre of mass in different
directions, provide feedback in different ways and place additional
physical and cognitive demands upon the patient. Only five games are
suitable for people who have severely impaired ability to stand. Six
games are suitable for people with moderately impaired standing and nine
games are suitable only for people with mildly impaired standing
ability. Game goals and the position of the patient can be modified to
make the games target physiotherapy goals.
Conclusions:
Enough suitable games exist to make the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii
Fit Plus an appropriate biofeedback device for rehabilitation of
standing after stroke.
I used Wii the first 6 months home. It served 2 purposes: 1) It helped me to learn balanced weight distribution between both legs. 2) It provided variety in my exercise routine during a period when I was confined to the house. I was later pleased to discover that the Wii streams Netflix -- so even though I don't use it for therapy anymore, I am putting it to good use!
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