RALEIGH, N.C. -- Thanks to the Nintendo Wii, throwing punches in the direction of your television is officially therapeutic.

 

 

 

“Go ahead, raise your arms,” Stephanie Mzcynski yells at the TV.

 

“Who haw, down and out,” she continues, getting more and more animated. “Eight, nine, ten,  yea!”

 

 Another challenger knocked out on the Nintendo Wii Sports boxing game.

 

These days, Mzcynski beats all challengers. She’s also beating multiple sclerosis, and she credits the game system.  She could barely move one month ago.

 

“The Wii has helped me with balance, coordination, and also helps with endurance,” Mzcynski said, “it’s also good for self esteem because you can take this out on somebody else.”

 

 

The hot video game console for the holidays, the Nintendo Wii is winning fans in physical therapy by getting victims of accidents and diseases back on their feet. Patients hold the game's magic wand, or 'Wiimote,' and the character on the screen carries through with the move.

 

Dana Ryan, Wake Med director of therapy, said the Wii works because patients buy into the game and the therapy without knowing it.

 

“People don’t think of it as therapy," Ryan said. “It’s fun. It’s a distraction, so the therapist can use it to do exercise activities that are hard to do.”

 

Alshaye Jones is 11-years-old.  She underwent spinal therapy one month ago and plays the Nintendo Wii’s bowling game. She makes it a greater challenge by wearing weights on her arms.

 

“It helps with my arm strength and core strength,” said Jones.

 

 The first hospital to use the Nintendo Wii in therapy is believed to be the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta Canada.  But that’s not where WakeMed therapists got the idea. That came from someone delivering wheelchairs, who owns a Wii system and made a suggestion that it could work in rehab.

  

Ironically, therapists say the Nintendo Wii’s other strength could come after the patient is discharged, because the same therapy could be done at home with family and friends helping.  Although Stephanie Mzcynski may have a tough time finding anyone to box against her -- she’ll probably beat them.