United Kingdom banker Jo Collinge has attributed her use of Nintendo’s Wii Fit with a miraculous lessening of the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. Because Parkinson’s disease is incurable and exercise is known to help alleviate some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, she decided to start using the Wii Fit to see if it could benefit her physically and mentally.

It did.

Jo Collinge developed her own routine for using the Wii Fit—her daily 45-minute routine includes boxing and hula hooping with the Wii Fit. As a result of her efforts with the Wii Fit, she witnessed a marked improvement in her range of mobility and her fitness levels. In addition to the physical benefits of the Wii Fit, the banker attributes her new positive attitude to the benefits of exercise and the added benefits of using the Wii Fit with her family.

Parkinson’s Disease affects the nerves in the brain. The symptoms of the disease can be severe and affect muscle movement—those diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease have problems with balance, problems walking, and other problems related to muscle movement. The conditions worsen over time.

Jo Collinge strongly recommends the use of the Wii Fit to anyone with Parkinson’s Disease because of her positive experiences.

This is not the first time someone has used the Wii Fit to help treat Parkinson’s Disease. In 2008, the University of Georgia received a $45,000 grant to study the effects of using the Wii Fit to help people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. The study included 20 people with Parkinson’s Disease.  The study included both physical and cognitive occupational therapy. Although the number of participants in the study was small, the researchers claim that the results were overwhelmingly positive.

According to Dr. Herz, the lead researcher in the study, a major benefit to the patients who took part in the study was the alleviation of their depression. Many patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease suffer from depression because it is untreatable and progressive.

Others seem to be interested in the study as well. Parkinson’s UK recently gave  a grant to Belfast University to study the possible benefits of the Wii Fit use to patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. While the grant is not substantial, hopefully the research will support the claims of Jo Collinge and the University of Georgia researchers so patients like her will have some positive news about the disease.