That Wii sure is something! It can play games. It lets you go online. It is being used for physical rehabilitation. And is even being used for the rehabilitation of the human brain too. Maybe researchers will even find the Wii can solve the issue of world peace. But of course, I refuse to admit its win until it learns how to make fries!

From the article:

Punches in the boxing ring likely contributed to Albert Liaw's spontaneous stroke and brain injury that left him in a wheelchair with little movement in his left arm and slowed speech.

Now, virtual boxing with Nintendo's popular Wii video game is helping him regain his left hook, right jab and nimble feet.

The Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital is the first in North America to use the Wii technology to treat patients with movement and balance issues. Patients like Liaw, 34, have progressed from their wheelchairs, unable to bend at the waist or pick up things from the floor, to 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.

Dr. Grigore Burdea, a world leader in computer-based virtual reality techniques in rehabilitation therapies, said in five years, he believes every hospital and rehab clinic will have embraced the gaming technology for their patients.

"It's very ingenious," Burdea said, in Edmonton to speak at conference on virtual rehabilitation. "This is pioneering work."

Read the full article over at canada.com