Kevin Spencer was working with people who hold physical and occupational therapy jobs after a 1998 accident and became bored with what he was doing so he spruced it up, according to a published report.
He realized that performing magic tricks can produce the same end result of physical therapy, The South Jersey Times reports. His objective was to devise a fun and interesting way of practicing physical and occupational therapy.
"But with magic, the patient is fully engaged in the activity," Spencer told the news source. "And many patients do the exercises with the therapist, but then go home and never do them. That's one of the challenges therapists are faced with. You're not going to get better if you don't do the therapy."
He and his wife worked with therapists to devise a program using magic tricks to aid the recovery of patients who had lost physical skills. The effort also drove toward boosting self esteem and enhancing motivation.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational therapists aid patients' recovery by encouraging the performance of daily activities.