Mii-Hab Rehabilitation for Nintendo Wii
What is Mii-Hab
Mii-Hab is a fun and convenient alternative to traditional physical therapy styles! Using the
Nintendo Wii gaming console in conjunction with the Wii software programs Wii-Fit, Wii-Fit
Plus, Wii Sports, and Wii Sports Resorts, patients can complete physical therapy at a medical
facility or in the comfort and convenience of their private residence.
How it Works
Prior to a Mii-Hab physical therapy session, the physical therapist will log on to mii-
hab.com. After entering their physician ID and password, the physical therapist will enter the 8-
digit patient code assigned to the specific patient. He or she will then design a physical therapy
session by selecting activities offered through the Wii gaming system. The physical therapist
can either send the program session directly to the patient via email or mobile device, or print it
out in their office and physically hand to the patient. Once a session or workout is completed by
the patient, either at the physical therapy office or at the patient residence, the individual therapy
session workout data is automatically uploaded to mii-hab.com. If lack of internet services
precludes this information from being automatically downloaded, the patient can upload their
workout data using a basic USB flash drive. The USB can then be given directly to a staff
member at the physical therapy office for automatic upload. Mii-Hab.com stores the completed
physical therapy session on its server for immediate access by physical therapists. Conveniently,
physical therapists can view and print patient workouts at any time. Currently, patients can
complete Mii-Hab physical therapy through any one of four Nintendo Wii games; Wii-Fit, Wii-
Fit Plus, Wii Sports, and Wii-Sports Resort.
Wii-Fit
Wii-Fit includes Wii-Fit software to be used in conjunction with a wireless-battery
operated device called the Balance Wii Board. Using Wii-Fit, the patient can obtain weight,
BMI, a balance check and complete a variety of exercises in any of five fitness categories
selected by his or her physical therapist. Completing a Mii-Hab physical therapy session using
the Wii Fit Program is fairly simple and consists of three patient steps.
Patient Step 1-Create a Profile
When a patient initially signs on to Wii-Fit, they will be required to create a User Profile.
First they will create a Mii character. Next they will be asked to input their height, age, and will
complete a few quick tests. (In subsequent physical therapy sessions, patients will not need to re-
create the User Profile. They will simply select the previously saved User Profile from the initial
session.) The patient BMI, or Body Mass Index, will then be calculated. BMI is the term
utilized by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicating the measure of body fat based on
height and weight. To obtain the BMI number, the patient will stand on the Wii Fit balance
board. Using the previously inputted height combined with the balance board obtained weight,
WII Fit will calculate the patient BMI. After completing the BMI test, the patient will conduct a
basic balance test to find out their current Wii Fit Age. The Wii Fit Age tests the patient’s ability
to control their left and right balance.
Patient Step 2-Choose an Exercise Category
Patients can choose from one of four Wii-Fit exercise categories selected by their
physical therapists: Strength Training, Aerobics, Yoga, and Balance Games. Each exercise
category includes an extensive list of specific exercises for the given category. Using the
workout plan prescribed from the patient’s physical therapist, the patient selects both the exercise
type and numbers of repetitions. Specific exercises for each category are given below.
Strength Training: Single Leg Extension, Sideways Leg Lift, Arm and Leg Lift, Single-Arm
Stand, Torso Twists, Rowing Squat, Single Leg Twist, Lunge, Push-up and Side Plank,
Jackknife, Plank and Tricep Extension. There are also three challenges under the Strength
category which include the Pushup Challenge, Plank Challenge, and Jackknife Challenge.
Aerobics: Hula Hoop, Basic Step, Basic Run, Super Hula Hoop, Advanced Step, 2-P Run,
Rhythm Boxing, Free Step, Free Run.
Yoga: Deep Breathing, Half-Moon, Dance, Cobra, Bridge, Spinal Twist, Shoulder Stand,
Warrior, Tree, Sun Salutation, Standing Knee, Palm Tree, Chair, Triangle and Downward-
Facing.
Balance Games: Soccer Heading, Ski Slalom, Ski Jump, Table Tilt, Tightrope Walk, Balance
Bubble, Penguin Slide, Snowboard Slalom and Lotus Focus.
Patient Step Three-View Results/Automatic Download
Once the physical therapy session is complete, patients can view their progress and data
in easy-to-understand Wii graphs and charts. If desired, they can set goals and even input
exercise data they have completed outside of Wii-Fit. For those patients or providers whose Wii
consoles are connected to the internet, their physical therapy session will automatically be
uploaded into Mii-hab.com. In addition, the data will be immediately available for the physical
therapist to access. As previously discussed, a USB flash drive, once connected to the Wii
console, will automatically upload the session data for those Wii consoles lacking internet
connection.
Wii-Fit Plus
An upgrade from the original Wii-Fit, Wii Fit Plus includes all the Wii Fit features and offers
new exercises and tools for patients to utilize. If the patient has a previously created profile on
Wii-Fit, this is automatically transferred to Wii-Fit Plus. In Wii-Fit Plus, there are 15 new
balance and Aerobics game not offered in the original Wii-Fit. Additional activities provided in
Wii-Fit Plus include: Perfect 10, Obstacle Course, Birds Eye Bulls-Eye, Driving Range,
Skateboard Arena, Snowball Fight, Rhythm Kung Fu, Island Cycling, Segway Circuit, Tilt City,
Rhythm Parade, Big Top Juggling, Table Tilt Plus, Balance Bubble Plus, and Basic Run Plus.
Wii Sports
Wii Sports consists of five classic sport activities that physical therapy patients will enjoy
and benefit from. Patients can engage in the following activities: Bowling, Tennis, Baseball,
Boxing and Golf. Even if the patient has never previously played these sports, they will find
each activity easy to enjoy. As their skill level in each activity increases, the skill level of the
Mii caricature will also increase. The patient and physical therapist will be able to view and
track the progress and increase in skill level for each Wii Sport activity by using Mii-Hab.
Wii Sports Resort
Wii Sports Resort provides the following fun and resort-based activities for patients:
Swordplay, Wakeboarding, Frisbee, Archery, Basketball, Table Tennis, Golf Bowling,
Canoeing, Cycling, and Air Sports.