Aquatic Therapy for improving Lower Limbs Function in Post-stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi1, Ardalan Shariat2, Jan Dommerholt3
1Department of Motor Behaviour, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation
|June 21, 2021
Summary
Aquatic therapy significantly improves balance, walking speed, and mobility in stroke survivors compared to land-based exercises. This therapy offers a promising rehabilitation approach for lower limb function after stroke.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Neurology
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Lower limb disability is a significant challenge for chronic stroke patients.
- Aquatic therapy is a recognized modality for stroke rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the evidence on aquatic therapy's effects on lower limb disability in post-stroke patients.
- To compare aquatic therapy outcomes with land-based exercises.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CENTRAL, etc.) for randomized clinical trials.
- Included 17 trials with 629 participants, assessing study selection, data extraction, and quality.
- Utilized data synthesis and fixed-effect models for quantitative analysis.
Main Results:
- Aquatic therapy demonstrated a significant improvement in balance (Berg Balance Scale) compared to land-based exercises (SMD, 0.72).
- Positive effects were observed in walking speed (10-m walking test) (SMD, -0.45) and mobility (Timed Up and Go) (SMD, -0.43).
- All results showed statistically significant improvements favoring aquatic therapy.
Conclusions:
- Aquatic therapy shows a more positive effect on walking speed, balance, and mobility than land-based exercises for stroke patients.
- Further research is recommended to ascertain the long-term clinical benefits of aquatic therapy post-stroke.
