To some, a Wii is a fun way to play virtual sports and video
games. Students in a Notre Dame computer science course have
found the game system also has the potential to help recovering
stroke patients. The students have developed an application for
the Wii that could help stroke patients regain their
independence. The students have partnered with Memorial Hospital
to try out the "Wiihab" program. For stroke survivors, a key
step in rehabilitation is regaining a sense of balance. “I can
tell them all day long, they're not putting enough weight on a
leg,” said Sarah Kuzmicz, a Memorial Hospital physical
therapist. “But they don't understand because they can't really
see it or feel it. With the Wii system, it gives them the
feedback. It shows them on the screen, ‘Wow! I'm really not
putting very much weight on my leg.’” Wiihab uses a regular Wii
game system, a Wii Fit board, and connects to a computer through
Bluetooth. “I like it. It's fun doing it on the Wii Fit board,”
said Carol Smith, a patient recovering