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Salivary Cortisol Levels after Hydrotherapy and Land-Based Therapy as a Marker of Stress in Children with Psychomotor
María José Aguilar-Cordero1,2,3, Sabina Michel-Araya1, Jessica Pamela Noack Segovia1,4
1CTS-367, Andalusian Plan for Research, Development and Innovation, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain.
Insights
Pediatric physical therapy, including hydrotherapy and land-based exercises, effectively reduces stress markers like salivary cortisol in children with developmental delays. Both therapeutic approaches appear safe and beneficial for managing these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Increasing incidence of neurological risk in infants postnatally.
- Children with developmental delays often require interventions causing stress.
- Salivary cortisol is a key stress biomarker in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess salivary cortisol levels as a stress indicator in children undergoing hydrotherapy and land-based therapy.
- To compare the stress response between hydrotherapy and land-based therapy in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate the efficacy of these therapies in managing stress in children with psychomotor developmental issues.
Main Methods:
- Saliva samples collected from 25 children (3-36 months) at baseline, post-hydrotherapy, and post-land-based therapy.
- Study conducted between June 2022 and January 2023 at a Spanish university hospital.
- Salivary cortisol levels measured as a biomarker for physiological stress.
Main Results:
- All measured salivary cortisol levels remained within normal physiological ranges.
- Resting salivary cortisol levels were highest, with both therapies showing a decrease.
- No statistically significant differences in cortisol reduction were observed between hydrotherapy and land-based therapy.
Conclusions:
- Hydrotherapy and land-based therapy are effective in managing children with psychomotor developmental disorders without increasing session-related stress.
- Both therapeutic modalities appear safe and beneficial for pediatric patients.
- Observed slight differences in cortisol levels between therapies may be attributed to the limited sample size.
Abstract:
Background: The number of children experiencing postnatal situations of neurological risk (such as psycho-motor developmental disorders and delays) after birth has increased in recent years. These infants often require multiple pediatric interventions to address functional problems that might generate stress, anxiety, and discomfort. The aim of the present study is to determine whether the level of salivary cortisol, as a stress marker, increases after hydrotherapy and land-based therapy in children at risk of or currently presenting delayed psycho-motor development. Methods: Saliva samples were collected from 25 children (aged 3-36 months) between June 2022 and January 2023 at the Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Clinical Management Unit of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, Granada, Spain. Three samples were collected from each child, representing baseline, post-hydrotherapy and post-land-based therapy. Result: All salivary cortisol levels were within the normal range. Resting values were the highest, and both modes of therapy decreased salivary cortisol levels. There were no statistically significant differences between the two therapies. Conclusions: Both therapies appear to be useful for treating children with psychomotor developmental disorders without increasing stress during physiotherapy sessions. Although cortisol levels were slightly higher with hydrotherapy than with land-based therapy, this may be due to the small sample size.
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