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Effects of Plyometric-Based Hydro-Kinesiotherapy on Pain, Muscle Strength, Postural Stability, and Functional
Ragab K Elnaggar1,2, Alshimaa R Azab1,2, Ahmed S Alhowimel1
1Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Plyometric-based hydro-kinesiotherapy (Plyo-HKT) significantly improved pain, muscle strength, and balance in children with hemophilic knee arthropathy (HKA). This specialized therapy offers a promising approach for enhancing functional abilities in affected children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Sports Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Hemophilic knee arthropathy (HKA) significantly impacts children's quality of life, causing pain, reduced muscle strength, and impaired functional performance.
- Current rehabilitation strategies for HKA often focus on standard exercises, with limited exploration of specialized therapeutic approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of plyometric-based hydro-kinesiotherapy (Plyo-HKT) in improving pain, muscle strength, postural stability, and functional performance in children diagnosed with HKA.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 48 children with HKA (aged 8-16 years) was conducted.
- Participants were assigned to either the Plyo-HKT group or a standard exercise rehabilitation group for 12 weeks.
- Outcomes measured included pain levels, quadriceps and hamstring peak torque, dynamic limits of postural stability (DLPS), Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH), and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT).
Main Results:
- The Plyo-HKT group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pain reduction (p = .028) compared to the control group.
- Significant enhancements were observed in quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength (p < .036) and dynamic postural stability (p < .001) in the Plyo-HKT group.
- Functional performance, assessed by FISH (p < .001) and 6-MWT (p = .002), showed substantial gains with Plyo-HKT.
Conclusions:
- Plyometric-based hydro-kinesiotherapy is an effective intervention for mitigating pain and enhancing muscle strength, postural stability, and functional capabilities in children with HKA.
- Physical rehabilitation practitioners are encouraged to consider Plyo-HKT as a valuable therapeutic option for this pediatric population.
Aim:
To explore how plyometric-based hydro-kinesiotherapy (Plyo-HKT) would affect pain, muscle strength, postural stability, and functional performance in a convenience sample of children with hemophilic knee arthropathy (HKA).
Methods:
Forty-eight children with HKA (age: 8-16 years) were randomly allocated to the Plyo-HKT group (n = 24; underwent the Plyo-HKT for 45 min, twice/week over 12 wk in succession) or the comparison group (n = 24; performed the standard exercise rehabilitation at an equivalent frequency and duration). Pain, peak concentric torque of quadriceps and hamstring (produced at two angular velocities: 120 and 180 o/sec), dynamic limits of postural stability (DLPS), and functional performance [Functional Independence Score in Hemophilia (FISH) and 6-Minute Walk Test (6-MWT)] were assessed pre- and post-intervention.
Results:
In contrast with the comparison group, the Plyo-HKT group achieved more favorable pre-to-post changes in pain (p = .028, η2p = 0.10), peak torque of quadriceps [120°/sec (p = .007, ηP = 0.15); 180°/sec (p = .011, ηP = 0.13)] and hamstring [120°/sec (p = .024, ηP = 0.11); 180°/sec (p = .036, ηP = 0.09)], DLPSdirectional [forward (p = .007, ηP = 0.15); backward (p = .013, ηP = 0.12); affected side (p = .008, ηP = 0.14); non-affected side (p = .002, ηP = 0.20)], DLPSoverall (p < .001, ηP = 0.32), and functional performance [FISH (p < .001, η2p = 0.26); 6-MWT (p = .002, η2p = 0.19)].
Conclusion:
Plyo-HKT is likely helpful for reducing pain, improving strength, enhancing postural stability, and boosting functional capabilities in children with HKA. Physical rehabilitation practitioners should, therefore, consider this intervention strategy.
