Boxing, bowls, tennis and golf are now all part of the road to recovery at Wairarapa Hospital - but only in the virtual sense.
A 42-inch flat screen television donated by Masterton South and South Wairarapa Rotary Clubs and Anne Booth from the Stroke Foundation coupled with a recently bought Nintendo
Wii has made video games a fun way to recover in the Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation unit.
Local artist Kevin Lamb also donated an artwork that was raffled with all proceeds going towards the purchases and installation.
The games complement the therapy provided by the physiotherapist and occupational therapist who can now guide patients through golf swings, tennis serves and baseball strikes to help them not only gain lost movement, but to teach their brains to respond quickly to flying balls or swinging fists.
Patients who may be in wheelchairs, unable to bend at the waist or pick up things from the floor, can stand and play in front of a TV screen, swinging a virtual golf stick, scoring a virtual bowling strike or knocking out an opponent in a boxing match.
Wii Sports offers different sports experiences, using a remote control to provide a natural, intuitive and realistic feel.
To play a Wii Sports game, all patients need to do is pick up a remote and mimic the actions of swinging a racket, bat or club, rolling a ball down an alley or bringing a left hook.
It challenges patients' cardio vascular, muscular strength and respiratory function, balance, hand-to-eye coordination and dexterity.
The Rehab Unit has also purchased Wii Music which invites patients to make their own music and play their own instruments.
Wairarapa District Health Board unit manager said the new equipment was providing "great entertainment".
"This was a great idea from our Rehab team and the patients are really enjoying the exercise and the social interaction.
"In fact, they can get quite competitive, which is great. We are really grateful to all who donated money for this equipment. It is being well used by the patients."
