the aquatic therapist

50% Group-Coupon Alert: Aquatic Therapy Insanity on July 4th

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Click here to see the July 4th ATU Groupon

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Starting at midnight, July 4th, therapists can buy books, equipment, bibliographies, distance-learning DVDs and more for 50% off. Better yet? They can book any of our 18 hour aquatic therapy classes for $300 (a $600 value).

Book early; we plan to cap the classes before the 24 hours is over!

--
Andrea Salzman, MS, PT
Director of Programming
Aquatic Resources Network/ Aquatic Therapy University
3500 Vicksburg Ln #250 Plymouth, MN 55447
800-680-8624 Main 888-514-6133 Fax
www.swimatu.com
"Therapist Founded. Therapist Grounded."

Comparing land and aquatic exercise for people with hip or knee arthritis on function, mobility and other health outcomes.

Batterham SI, Heywood S, Keating JL. Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing land and aquatic exercise for people with hip or knee arthritis on function, mobility and other health outcomes. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2011 Jun 2;12(1):123. [Epub ahead of print]

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Aquatic and land based exercise are frequently prescribed to maintain function for people with arthritis. The relative efficacy of these rehabilitation strategies for this population has not been established. This review investigated the effects of aquatic compared to land based exercise on function, mobility or participants' perception of programs for people with arthritis.

METHODS:

Medline, CINAHL, AMED and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials were searched up to July 2010. Ten randomised, controlled clinical trials that compared land to aquatic exercise for adults with arthritis were included. Study quality was assessed with the PEDro scale. Data relevant to the review question were systematically extracted by two independent reviewers. Standardised mean differences between groups for key outcomes were calculated. Meta-analyses were performed for function, mobility and indices that pooled health outcomes across multiple domains.

RESULTS:

No differences in outcomes were observed for the two rehabilitation strategies in meta-analysis. There was considerable variability between trials in key program characteristics including prescribed exercises and design quality. Components of exercise programs were poorly reported by the majority of trials. No research was found that examined participant preferences for aquatic compared to land based exercise, identifying this as an area for further research.

CONCLUSION:

Outcomes following aquatic exercise for adults with arthritis appear comparable to land based exercise. When people are unable to exercise on land, or find land based exercise difficult, aquatic programs provide an enabling alternative strategy.

Is aquatic therapy useful for post CVA patients? Should water-based intervention be a part of neuro rehab?

Mehrholz J, Kugler J, Pohl M. Water-based exercises for improving activities of daily living after stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Jan 19;(1):CD008186.

Source

(a) Wissenschaftliches Institut, Private Europäische Medizinische Akademie der Klinik Bavaria in Kreischa GmbH, Kreischa, Germany, (b) Sektion Therapiewissenschaften, SRH Fachhochschule für Gesundheit Gera gGmbH, Gera, Thueringen, Germany, 07548.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Water-based exercises are used in rehabilitation and might help to reduce disability after stroke.

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the effect of water-based exercises for reducing disability after stroke.

SEARCH STRATEGY:

We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched August 2010), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 4), MEDLINE (1966 to April 2010), EMBASE (1980 to April 2010), CINAHL (1982 to April 2010), AMED (1985 to April 2010), SPORTDiscus (1949 to April 2010), the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro, April 2010) and OT Seeker (1969 to April 2010). In an effort to identify further published, unpublished and ongoing trials we handsearched relevant journals and conference proceedings, searched trials and research registers, checked reference lists and contacted authors.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

We included studies using random assignment.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:

Two review authors independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed trial quality and extracted the data. The primary outcome was activities of daily living.

MAIN RESULTS:

We included four trials involving 94 participants in this review. There was a significant improvement in activity of daily living (mean difference (MD) 13.20 points on the 'Capacidad funcional' (functional capacity) subscale of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the SF-36; 95% confidence interval (CI) 8.36 to 18.04; P < 0.00001) and on muscle strength (MD 1.01 Nm/kg; 95% CI 0.19 to 1.83; P = 0.02) but these results should be interpreted with caution because population numbers were small and the results are based on single studies. There was no significant improvement in ability to walk (MD 0.14 m/s; 95% CI -0.32 to 0.606; P = 0.55), postural balance (MD 3.05 points; 95% CI -3.41 to 9.52; P = 0.35) or fitness (MD 3.6 (VO(2max); 95% CI -0.53 to 7.73; P = 0.09) after water-based exercises treatment compared to control. Adverse effects were not reported.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:

The evidence from randomised controlled trials so far does not confirm or refute that water-based exercises after stroke might help to reduce disability after stroke. There is a lack of hard evidence for water-based exercises after stroke. Better and larger studies are therefore required.

Does Aquatic Vertical Traction Change Spinal Height and Back Pain?

 

 

Simmerman SM, Sizer PS, Dedrick GS, Apte GG, Brismée JM. Immediate changes in spinal height and pain after aquatic vertical traction in patients with persistent low back symptoms: a crossover clinical trial.PM&R. 2011 May;3(5):447-57.

Source

Cleburne Physical Therapy, Cleburne, TX(⁎).

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effect of aquatic vertical traction on spinal height, pain intensity, and centralization response compared with a land-based supine flexion position for patients with low back pain and signs of nerve root compression.

DESIGN:

Single-blind, repeated-measures crossover design.

SETTING:

Outpatient physical therapy clinic.

SUBJECTS:

Ninety-eight subjects were recruited using consecutive sampling, with 28 men and 32 women of a mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 59.6 ± 11.6 years completing testing.

INTERVENTION:

Each subject participated in 2 sessions that consisted of loaded walking for 15 minutes, followed by either 15 minutes of land-based supine position or 15 minutes of aquatic vertical traction.

MEASUREMENTS:

Spinal height change, measured using a commercial stadiometer, was determined after completing loaded walking and after each intervention.

RESULTS:

The mean ± SD height change of 4.99 ± 2.88 mm after aquatic vertical traction was similar to that of 4.21 ± 2.53 mm after the land-based supine flexion (P = .0969). Paired t-test indicated that both interventions resulted in significant increased height (P < .0001). Decreases in pain after aquatic intervention (2.7 ± 2.1 cm) were significantly greater than decreases after land intervention (1.7 ± 1.7 cm; P = .0034), and centralization of symptoms was more pronounced after aquatic vertical suspension compared with the supine land-based flexion condition (P < .0001). A significant correlation between height change and both pain reduction (r = 0.39; P = .001) and centralization (r = 0.29; P = .013) was observed for the aquatic intervention only.

CONCLUSION:

Although both the aquatic and land interventions produced significant increases in overall spinal height, the aquatic intervention produced greater pain relief and centralization response in subjects with low back pain and signs of nerve root compression.