Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Two-Week Course of Aquatic Therapy and Thalassotherapy in a Mild Post-Stroke Population.

Strokes are a leading cause of disability in developed countries. Patients with disabilities need rehabilitation to improve their physical functioning, mental status, and quality of life. Currently, no high-quality evidence can be found attesting the benefits of any of the interventions that are nowadays used. Water-based exercise may improve the physical conditions and quality of life of people in the post-stroke phase. The objective of this study is to test whether aquatic therapy in an enriched environment at the seaside (a thalassotherapy center) could play a role in this condition. A quasi-experimental prospective study consisting of a specific program assessed 62 patients with a mild-moderate disability pre- and post-2 weeks of intensive treatment. They followed a thalassotherapy regimen including aquatic therapy in a sea water pool at 32-34 °C for 45 min daily five times a week. The outcomes measured were the Berg Balance scale, the Timed Up and Go test, the 10-meter walking test, the 6-min walking test, the Pain Visual Analogue Scale, the WHO Well-being index, EuroQoL VAS and EuroQoL 5D. We observed a significant improvement in all outcomes measured (p < 0.001, except mobility EuroQoL p < 0.05), except in the other four dimensions of the EuroQoL 5D and 10-metre walking test (NS). Conclusion: A two-week intensive course of aquatic therapy and thalassotherapy may be beneficial in the short term by reducing pain and improving the functional status and overall well-being of post-stroke patients.

Efficacy of aquatic therapy for neck pain: a systematic review.

This study systematically reviews the current state of aquatic treatment of neck pain and assesses the scientific evidence of its benefits. The databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and PEDro were searched for relevant reports published from January 1, 2008, to November 7, 2017, using the keywords "neck pain" in addition to "balneotherapy", "spa treatment", "spa", "thalassotherapy", "hydrotherapy", "aquatic therapy" or "aquatic". Inclusion criteria were full-text articles published in journals included in Journal Citation Reports in English and Spanish describing human studies. Case studies, letters to the editor and meeting presentations or other contributions were excluded. Of 367 articles identified, only 13 fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 5 randomized trials, 1 single blind controlled study, 2 pilot studies, 2 observational retrospective studies, 1 prospective study, 1 clinical study and 1 not specified. Participants were 658 subjects with chronic neck pain. Main symptoms and signs treated were neck pain, disability, cervical disc herniation and compromised quality of life. Evidence that aquatic treatment improves quality of life in affected individuals was good in four studies, fair in eight and weak in one. Treatment of neck pain using different waters and techniques reduced pain and disability, and improved functional capacity, quality of life, joint mobility, balance, relaxation and mood.

Efectos de un programa intensivo de talasoterapia y terapia acuática en pacientes con ictus. Estudio piloto / Effects of an intensive thalassotherapy and aquatic therapy program in stroke patients. A pilot study

Introducción. El ictus es la principal causa de discapacidad adquirida. Su planificación y gestión (sanitaria y social) varía y, aunque la prevención resulta crucial, no es menos importante disponer de mejores tratamientos y estrategias para reducir la discapacidad. Objetivo. Analizar la eficacia de un programa intensivo de talasoterapia y terapia acuática en pacientes con ictus, valorando parámetros clínicos y escalas funcionales validadas. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo cuasi experimental con 26 pacientes con discapacidad leve-moderada postictus. Los pacientes fueron evaluados con las siguientes escalas: equilibrio de Berg, equilibrio dinámico/Timed Up & Go, marcha de 10 metros, seis minutos de marcha y escala visual analógica del dolor, antes y después de realizar tres semanas de tratamiento. Resultados. Finalizado el tratamiento programado, se obtuvieron diferencias significativas para todas las variables estudiadas. Conclusión. Un programa intensivo de talasoterapia y terapia acuática contribuye a mejorar el equilibrio, la marcha y la percepción del dolor en estos pacientes (AU)

Introduction. Stroke remains the leading cause of acquired disability. Health and social planning and management may vary and although prevention is crucial, having better treatments and strategies to reduce disability is needed. Aim. To determine the effect of an intensive program of thalassotherapy and aquatic therapy in stroke patients, valuing clinical parameters and functional validated scales. Patients and methods. A quasi-experimental prospective study consisting of a specific program assessed pre- and post- 3 weeks treatment to 26 stroke patients with a mild- moderate disability. The outcomes measured were: Berg Balance scale, Timed Up & Go test, 10-meter walking test, 6-minute walking test and pain Visual Analogue Scale. Results. After intervention, participants had a significant improvement in all outcomes measured. Conclusions. Our results suggest that an intensive program of thalassotherapy and aquatic therapy could be useful during stroke rehabilitation to improve balance, gait and pain (AU)

Efficacy of aquatic therapy for multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, progressive, disabling autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Symptoms and signs of MS vary widely and patients may lose their ability to walk. To date the benefits of aquatic therapy often used for rehabilitation in MS patients have not been reviewed. The aim of this study was to systematically review the current state of aquatic treatment for persons with MS (hydrotherapy, aquatic therapy, aquatic exercises, spa therapy) and to evaluate the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of this therapeutic option. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The databases PubMed, Scopus, WoS and PEDro were searched to identify relevant reports published from January 1, 2011 to April 30, 2016. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Of 306 articles identified, only 10 fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 5 randomized controlled, 2 simple randomized quasi-experimental, 1 semi-experimental, 1 blind controlled pilot and 1 pilot. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence that aquatic treatment improves quality of life in affected patients was very good in two studies, good in four, fair in two and weak in two.