[Patient experience assessment of aquatic physical therapy within a patient-centered care model: an observational...

Aquatic physical therapy (APT) leverages the therapeutic properties of water. Although its use is widespread, there is limited evidence regarding patients' experiences with this intervention and their perception of care within a person-centered care (PCC) model in the hospital setting.

To evaluate patients' experiences with APT and determine whether they perceived receiving PCC.

An observational pre-post study without a control group was conducted at a single center between August 2023 and May 2024. A questionnaire was administered, including clinical and sociodemographic variables: age, sex, pain, reason for referral, number of sessions attended, experience with APT and PCC. Descriptive analyses were performed, as well as a post hoc analysis using the Wilcoxon test to compare pain levels before and after treatment.

A total of 136 patients participated (mean number of sessions=14.4; SD=6.9). Most were referred from Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology (69.2%), followed by patients with pain syndromes (14.6%), oncology patients (8.1%), neurosurgical patients (4.4%), and neurological patients (3.7%). A significant reduction in pain was observed after the intervention (mean difference -2.01; CI95%: -2.42 to -1.60; P<.001; r=0.678). Between 97.1% and 88.3% reported positive experiences with AP. The average CCRQ-e score was 1.35, reflecting a very favorable perception of PCC.

APT was associated with a significant reduction in pain; patients also reported a satisfactory overall experience and indicated that they had received PCC. This study does not allow causal relationships to be established. Controlled, multicenter studies are required to confirm these findings.