Research at the San Diego School of Medicine shows that “exergames” such as Wii Fit and Wii Sports may be able to combat symptoms of subsyndromal depression (SSD), a more common and milder form of depression in older adults.
Though SSD is essentially minor depression, it is very common among seniors and it makes patients more susceptible to major depression. Physical activity lowers depression but fewer than five percent of seniors meet physical activity recommendations.
The study was small, involving only 19 seniors with SSD. The participants played Wii Sports in 35-minute sessions three times a week. According to Dilip V. Jeste, MD, one of the professors leading the study, “More than one-third of the participants had a 50-percent or greater reduction of depressive symptoms. Many had a significant improvement in their mental health-related quality of life and increased cognitive stimulation.”
Jeste continued, “The participants thought the exergames were fun, they felt challenged to do better and saw progress in their game play. Having a high level of enjoyment and satisfaction, and a choice among activities, exergames may lead to sustained exercise in older adults.”
This is a further extension of the Nintendo Wii’s rehabilitation capabilities. Since the consoles release, there have been numerous reports about the usefulness of the Wii in rehabilitation centers and retirement homes. Physical therapy becomes something patients can actually look forward too.
Say what you will about the Wii not being a home for hardcore Nintendo fans (well, looking at the game schedule for 2010, you might have to reconsider that statement), this is a great technology to have and definitely something developers should build on for the future.
By the way, Fred is an absolute monster at Wii Bowling! He would easily destroy me in a two-player match-up.
Gaming Decoded 