Physical Condition Work on wrist extension with Nintendo Wii games like tennis or frisbee golf. Paddle is used to support the fingers in extension #occupationaltherapy
Full Answer
What is occupational therapy?
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014).
Can physical therapists collaborate with occupational therapies in music therapy?
As the music therapy profession grows, so does the opportunity for collaboration among other therapists. This post will address two specific therapists in particular: physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs).
What is the difference between an occupational and physical therapist?
A physical therapist is specifically trained to work towards PHYSICAL NEEDS, as an occupational therapist is trained to work towards OCCUPATIONAL or DAILY ACTIVITY NEEDS.
Benefits of Using the Wii in Treatment
One valuable aspect of incorporating this type of technology in therapy is that it is often a familiar technology to the general public. Its accessibility extends outside that of the clinical setting. The common household, including those in the low socioeconomic bracket, might have access to a Nintendo Wii.
Wii Sports Games to Incorporate into Treatment
Wii Sports is the most common game as it comes with most Wii consoles. Wii Sports comes with five games: boxing, bowling, tennis, golf, and baseball. The following is short description of the Wii Sports games and how you can incorporate them in treatment.
Modifying the Games
Core Related: The Wii player is moved by the controller; therefore, the actual position of the client can vary. For impaired balance, the therapist can stand behind the client or have a chair available for when the client is fatigued. All games can be completed either standing or sitting.
More on the Research Behind this Post
As a thesis project to complete the requirements of graduating with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy, my classmate Kyle Nelson and I (Grant Mitchell) collected literature surrounding the Wii and Xbox use in rehabilitation.
Why do we need an OT?
An OT may be needed to individualize a physical activity regimen based on current fitness level and living situation to make this regimen functional and those health goals achievable. OTs will help put life back in living by making exercise something enjoyable and unavoidable.
What is an OT?
A skilled OT works to understand daily routines and the current amount of daily activity we do. OTs can determine which movements and exercises are safe to perform but still challenge muscles, balance system, or endurance. This provides that just-right challenge throughout the day.
What is the purpose of OT?
It can take an OT’s professional eye to assess, adapt, and modify activities and daily routines in order to increase someone’s physical activity to reap the benefits. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services outlines current exercise recommendations.
What is an occupational therapist?
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS: occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). MUSIC THERAPISTS: Music Therapy is the clinical ...
Why do music therapists not specialize in one aspect of therapy?
The reason for this is that music therapists do not specialize in one aspect of therapy due to music’s ability to affect a variety of issues in therapy. A physical therapist is specifically trained to work towards PHYSICAL NEEDS, as an occupational therapist is trained to work towards OCCUPATIONAL or DAILY ACTIVITY NEEDS.
Why is music therapy important?
In addition, music therapy often improves affect, motivation and distraction which can be very helpful when working on physical goals . We are specialized in the areas of MUSIC and THERAPY, which is why our interventions often compliment the more detailed and specific physical interventions set by the PT or OT.
What is a neurologic music therapist?
The key is rhythm and preparatory beats which the brain responds to when music is present.
What is a physical therapist?
First we must distinguish between the three types of therapies: PHYSICAL THERAPISTS:Physical therapists (PTs) are highly-educated, licensed health care professionals who can help patients reduce pain and improve or restore mobility – in many cases without expensive surgery and often reducing the need for long-term use of prescription medications ...
Why is listening important in workouts?
It distracts the mind from how long the workout has been taking place ( and often times you will workout longer!), it keeps the mind distracted from feeling fatigued and it can uplift and motivate simply by listening.
Can music therapists work with PTs?
Music therapists can (and do) work with PTs and OTs in schools, hospitals, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities co-treating patients/students as they work towards their therapeutic goals. Though all work towards similar goals and therapeutic outcomes, each therapist has a different specialty. First we must distinguish between the three ...
