Unit-based Tabletop Games
Playing tabletop wargames can be a beneficial activity for stroke survivors, aiding in cognitive and fine motor skill recovery. The strategic thinking, spatial reasoning, and manipulation of game pieces involved can help rehabilitate various functions affected by a stroke.
By making appropriate adaptations and choosing suitable games, stroke survivors can enjoy the benefits of tabletop wargaming while also working on their recovery.
Recovery Benefits
- Wargames require strategic planning, problem-solving, and decision-making, which can help stimulate the brain and improve cognitive functions affected by stroke.
- Moving and manipulating units can improve dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and overall fine motor skills.
- Tabletop wargames involve understanding spatial relationships, distances, and unit positioning, which can enhance spatial reasoning abilities.
- Games can be played with others, providing social interaction and reducing feelings of isolation.
- Focusing on the game table, terrain pieces, and miniatures can help improve vision and visual tracking, which may be affected by a stroke.
Post-stroke Adaptations
- Experiment with scenarios or games that have fewer units, simpler rules, and larger, easier-to-handle figures.
- Use movement trays for easier handling of units.
- Experiment with a larger or smaller table at different heights as appropriate for your specific challenges.
- Use dice with larger numbers if vision is a problem.
- Play with a friend, family member, or caregiver who can assist with tasks like rolling dice or moving units.
- Choose games that are captivating and fun, as this will make your recovery journey more inspiring. Go for a fantasy setting or a historical era that you find interesting.
Resources
https://www.youtube.com/@StormofSteelWargaming
https://www.rapid-fire-uk.com/product/rapid-fire-reloaded
https://3rdedition.boltaction.com/
https://www.debellisfantasiae.com