Patients recovering from strokes at a hospital in Surrey, are using a Nintendo Wii games console to develop their balance and co-ordination.

Staff in the stroke rehabilitation unit at Frimley Park Hospital said that 10 pin bowling and golf has helped patients on the road to recovery.

Jenny Hughes, the physiotherapy team leader, found that patients became so absorbed in the games, they actually forgot they were having rehab. The staff have even seen some of the patients competitive sides, which have been brought out by the games.

"For those who suffer from a stroke, timely and effective rehab is vital. Following a stroke, patients often have to relearn how to move different areas of the body," Ms Hughes told the BBC.

After a stroke, patients can be left with paralysis, often on one side. Physiotherapy is a key part of the patients treatment, as it helps them overcome the paralysis and other problems including a lack of strength and endurance, as well as a limited range of motion in certain limbs.

Physiotherapists begin stroke rehabilitation very soon after the stroke occurred, often whilst the patient is still in acute care. The treatment involves the patient learning to use the limbs made temporarily useless by the stroke.

Non use of the limb can lead to it becoming crippled further, so those working in physiotherapy jobs have to make sure that patients regularly do the exercises suggested.

The Wii is the first games console to include a wireless controller which replicates player's movements, making it the perfect tool for physiotherapists to use. In games such as bowling, players have to balance themselves before carrying out the bowling motion of swinging one arm back, before bringing it forward to let go of the ball.