The healthcare sector is always shifting due to new advancements in technology, and this means professionals in the field always need to be aware of new developments, including those with physical therapy jobs.
Physical therapists help people with all types of afflictions, including those suffering from Parkinson’s disease, and a new type of treatment is emerging to aid those with the condition. A pilot study conducted by researchers at the University of California at San Francisco School of Nursing found that physical therapy-based video games can help those with Parkinson’s improve their ability to walk and balance, according to a release.
The video games – which were developed by Red Hill Studios – involved physical interaction, like those often played on Nintendo’s Wii console. Subjects would earn points by moving their bodies a certain way.
“These initial studies show the promise of custom-designed physical therapy games promoting specific movements and gestures that can help patients get better,” Glenna Dowling, a professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Physiological Nursing, said.
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the condition – which is a nervous system disorder – affects an estimated 7 million to 10 million people around the world.