Just when you thought Game Boys® and PlayStations® were toys for idle minds, hospital have put them to constructive use. If you were to walk into a hospital’s children’s ward you might think you were in an arcade if it weren’t for the beds.

It's been widely known that playing these handheld devices was a great way to calm kids in anticipation of a doctor visit or hospital procedure. Now the same games are being used for therapy. Both children and adults get out of bed and get moving by playing along (or dancing along) with “Guitar Hero™” and “Dance Dance Revolution.”

New games have been developed which are specific to children’s diseases. "Re-Mission," has a robot that seeks out and destroys cancer, helping children understand how cancer affects their bodies. Another game helps kids solve bladder control problems. With the use of electrodes, kids learn how to control themselves by making a flower on the screen open or close depending on the muscles they use.

And, if it’s good for kids it’s got to be good for seniors. Don’t be surprised when you visit the assisted living center and find a Nintendo® Wii™ on the table.