illinialex24
Smash Hero
Link to original post: [drupal=2023]Homebrew, Parkinson's, and Nintendo[/drupal]
I just read an article about how the Nintendo Wii is one of the best low cost treatments for debilitating diseases like Parkinson's that are treated by exercise, and this blog will be using that to its full potential.
Now, Parkinson's is caused when a certain part of the brain lowers or almost stops its production of dopamine. Dopamine signals the brain to start and stop actions, so patients with Parkinson's often have difficulty starting a motion (like standing and walking) or stopping a motion (like to stop walking before you crash into a wall).
As a result, they spend much of their time sitting down and shaking, unable to stop their body from jittering and unable to stand up easily. That is, without treatment. Treatment generally entrails of two parts, exercise and medication. The medication often has you ingest chemicals that are digested into dopamine (L Dopa) and/or reduces the rate at which dopamine is broken down by the body.
Unfortunately, since we can;t constantly control the amount of dopamine in someones body, dopamine is given in periods which often causes them to often have too much dopamine at one point. The dosage is difficult because the body develops a tolerance to it. As a result, the time after taking the medication often has them start many random motions because of the dopamine levels. Therefore, the treatment is almost as bad as the disease and very similar.
Because of this, exercise is encouraged. This naturally raises your dopamine level and counteracts as a result without side effects. However, the treatment options are either very expensive or humiliating. For example, you could get a private trainer, but it would cost a lot, something most people suffering from a long term disease can;t afford. Or you can exercise on your own, but this generally humiliates them because others will see them with almost no control over everyday actions, which discourages people quickly.
Therefore, the creation of the Nintendo Wii, Wii Sports, and Wii Fit aided the treatment of Parkinson's. These games allow you to exercise indoors and it motivates them. 3 hours a week is generally enough to restore people to almost normal.
However, most of the games are at one point too easy or too difficult, which causes researchers to try to make controller modifications or try to create their own games. Unfortunately, most patients do not like the custom built therapy games, and as they cost money to be made (you need a development kit for a current system or make your own system), there is little reason to make them. Therefore, they have focused on controller modifications to help patients personalize their therapies.
However, there is also a lot of potential in software modifications, which are relatively simple, free, and easy to use if they are done well. On the Wii, all it takes is Homebrew and Gecko OS to seriously alter games, as well as ISO hacking if you really care (thats more difficult). Using this could create free and very effective ways to target the exercise regimen to specific patients.
It is unfortunate, therefore, that Homebrew is viewed by Nintendo as a threat, and that they are taking significant steps to stop a legal application. Especially one with a lot of potential for disease treatment.
I just read an article about how the Nintendo Wii is one of the best low cost treatments for debilitating diseases like Parkinson's that are treated by exercise, and this blog will be using that to its full potential.
Now, Parkinson's is caused when a certain part of the brain lowers or almost stops its production of dopamine. Dopamine signals the brain to start and stop actions, so patients with Parkinson's often have difficulty starting a motion (like standing and walking) or stopping a motion (like to stop walking before you crash into a wall).
As a result, they spend much of their time sitting down and shaking, unable to stop their body from jittering and unable to stand up easily. That is, without treatment. Treatment generally entrails of two parts, exercise and medication. The medication often has you ingest chemicals that are digested into dopamine (L Dopa) and/or reduces the rate at which dopamine is broken down by the body.
Unfortunately, since we can;t constantly control the amount of dopamine in someones body, dopamine is given in periods which often causes them to often have too much dopamine at one point. The dosage is difficult because the body develops a tolerance to it. As a result, the time after taking the medication often has them start many random motions because of the dopamine levels. Therefore, the treatment is almost as bad as the disease and very similar.
Because of this, exercise is encouraged. This naturally raises your dopamine level and counteracts as a result without side effects. However, the treatment options are either very expensive or humiliating. For example, you could get a private trainer, but it would cost a lot, something most people suffering from a long term disease can;t afford. Or you can exercise on your own, but this generally humiliates them because others will see them with almost no control over everyday actions, which discourages people quickly.
Therefore, the creation of the Nintendo Wii, Wii Sports, and Wii Fit aided the treatment of Parkinson's. These games allow you to exercise indoors and it motivates them. 3 hours a week is generally enough to restore people to almost normal.
However, most of the games are at one point too easy or too difficult, which causes researchers to try to make controller modifications or try to create their own games. Unfortunately, most patients do not like the custom built therapy games, and as they cost money to be made (you need a development kit for a current system or make your own system), there is little reason to make them. Therefore, they have focused on controller modifications to help patients personalize their therapies.
However, there is also a lot of potential in software modifications, which are relatively simple, free, and easy to use if they are done well. On the Wii, all it takes is Homebrew and Gecko OS to seriously alter games, as well as ISO hacking if you really care (thats more difficult). Using this could create free and very effective ways to target the exercise regimen to specific patients.
It is unfortunate, therefore, that Homebrew is viewed by Nintendo as a threat, and that they are taking significant steps to stop a legal application. Especially one with a lot of potential for disease treatment.
