Games console helps Frimley Park stroke patients

Stroke rehabilitation patient Maureen Walker gets a strike in bowling

Patients are recovering from strokes at a Surrey hospital by playing on a Nintendo Wii to improve their balance and co-ordination.

Staff in the stroke rehabilitation unit at Frimley Park Hospital said 10-pin bowling and golf were two games to have helped people on the road to recovery.

Jenny Hughes said people became so absorbed in using the games console they forgot they were having rehab.

The physiotherapy team leader said patients even became quite competitive.

"For those who suffer from a stroke, timely and effective rehab is vital," she added.

"Following a stroke, patients often have to relearn how to move different areas of the body."

Ms Hughes said the Wii was the first games console to include a wireless controller which replicated players' movements.

In games such as bowling, players have to balance themselves before swinging one arm back and carrying out the action of bowling the ball towards the pins.