A Pilot Study on the Effects of a 10-Session Underwater Treadmill Programme on Canine Joint Range of Motion

Underwater treadmill (UWTM) therapy is increasingly applied in canine rehabilitation, yet evidence on its effects after multiple sessions on joint mobility remains limited. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the impact of a 10-session UWTM programme on passive range of motion (PROM) in dogs with various disorders. Clinical records from 50 dogs were analysed. Each patient completed two 20 min sessions per week over five consecutive weeks. PROM in the carpal, elbow, shoulder, tarsal, stifle, and hip joints was measured using a goniometer before and after the programme. After ten sessions, a significant improvement was observed in all joints, both in flexion and extension. Flexion angles decreased from 2.89% in the tarsal joint to 12.21% in the carpal joint, while extension angles increased from 0.61% in the elbow to 2.55% in the stifle joint. Consequently, overall PROM improved, with median increases ranging from 1.9% in the tarsus to 5.6% in the hip. These improvements were observed consistently across diagnostic groups. No significant correlations were found between age and the degree of PROM improvement. In summary, the findings indicate that a 10-session UWTM programme is associated with measurable improvements in joint mobility and may be a valuable component of multimodal canine rehabilitation.