The Nintendo Wii has sold more than 100 million units around the world, but it is unlikely that any use of the console could be as beneficial as that from one British University.

Lancaster University has found that stroke survivors can benefit from a “significant” improvement in arm movement by using the Wii as physiotherapy.

A study by the researchers found that customising the remote and playing specifically adapted games could allow patients a greater range of movement and bespoke physiotherapy. In some cases there was a threefold increase in their ability to pick up pegs and put them into holes.

In the US the total cost of strokes is estimated to be $43bn per year. Included in this is the direct cost of medical care and therapy, estimated at $28bn per year.

While in the UK, where the research was undertaken, there are 110,000 new strokes each year and these amount to a cost of more than £2.8bn.

These figures highlight the extent and cost that is associated with strokes.

The customised games involved the stroke survivors imitating a 3D avatar on screen, hitting randomly appearing balls and playing air hockey – all while using the remote controller.

This required the patients to be consistently moving their arms in a set routine, in a bid to increase their movement range.

Dr Emmanuel Tsekleves, who worked on the study, said: “The innovative use of the Nintendo Wii could present a way to enhance community based stroke rehabilitation of the arm by providing a motivating and cost-effective way of exercising that could be remotely monitored and exercises adjusted as required by a physiotherapist.”

With seven out ten stroke survivors suffering from arm weakness, and no more than a fifth ever regaining full use of their arm, the method could be one that significantly helps stroke victims to recover.

The researchers said one stroke survivor was even able to lift and drain a cooking pan for the first time in eleven years.

One patient said: “I can now play games and do things not possible for me before,” while another said: “It’s great! I can see my arm movement appear instantly on screen and can tell how well and far I have gone.”

Featured image and image one courtesy of Stefano Tinti / Shutterstock.com. Image two courtesy of Mika Meskanen via Flickr/Creative Commons.