7 Healthcast: Virtual therapy

Dr. Nguyen, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
"Virtual reality therapy is the future of rehabilitation."
 
At the Spaulding Rehab Hospital in Boston they are looking to the future, and they're using virtual tools to get there.
 
This high tech glove is called the Armeo Glove.  Its used to help stroke patients regain mobility.  The sensorized glove works with a computer and allows patients to feel the sensation of things like cooking or picking up items.
 
Ben  Patritti , Spaulding Research Association
"It actually helps them improve and do tasks like grocery shopping, etc."

Patients also play virtual games to help them heal.

Walter, patient
"I got burns on my head, on my right arm, both feet, on my legs."

Walter is recovering from severe burns.  His rehabilitation includes playing the Nintendo Wii. Doctors say the video game therapy really helps.
 
Dr. Nguyen, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
"Patients have shown an increased range of motion and they have been able to participate more and have more energy and stamina during their therapies."

And this is the I-REX.  It uses a green screen to monitor patients' range of motion.

Andrew, Occupational Therapist
"Sometimes in the gym they can't see themselves and they don't think they are achieving anything.  This gets their mind off things and its a little more functional and its more fun."

And while traditional therapies are still used, doctors and patients agree, the virtual world may be the future of healing.
 
Dr. Nguyen, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
"I think that our patients are very motivated and they have seen a lot of satisfaction from these virtual reality therapies, and we have seen functional improvements that may be the future of rehab medicine."

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