Aquatic Therapy in Contemporary Neurorehabilitation: An Update

Abstract

Aquatic therapy has been used extensively in a number of neurologic diseases and pathologies. This review describes disease-specific rehabilitative applications for this population. Recent research has offered scientific support for use in common neurological diseases that are part of rehabilitative practice, and very recent findings may create even firmer support for its use in these as well as other conditions. Stroke, Parkinsonism, and multiple sclerosis are areas that have recently received a significant number of published studies. Dementia is another area that has been more recently studied and received basic science support. Cerebral palsy has also had recent supportive evidence published. Available literature is reviewed to create a more evidence-based support for the use of aquatic therapy in neurorehabilitation.

Effects of Different Exercise Therapies on Balance Function and Functional Walking Ability in Multiple Sclerosis Disease Patients—A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…(2) When exercising in the water, hydrostatic force causes the blood and lymphatic fluid to move up the torso, and combined with the gravitational offload and hydrostatic effect of the water, it increases the amount of blood circulating from the periphery to the center, resulting in an increase in the end-diastolic volume of the heart and thus an increase in cardiac output [ 62 ]. This increase in blood volume first reaches the brain and muscle tissue and is accompanied by an increase in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an anti-inflammatory factor that is particularly important for brain and muscle recovery [ 63 ]. (3) The period during and after aquatic exercise causes the body to reduce sympathetic activity and improves sympathetic–parasympathetic balance by increasing vagal tone [ 64 ].…”

Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Two-Week Course of Aquatic Therapy and Thalassotherapy in a Mild Post-Stroke Population

“…In this context, aquatic therapy has been found beneficial for many aspects of the functional limitations observed following a stroke, including paralysis and weakness, balance dysfunction, and gait disturbances [10,39]. In contrast, to our knowledge, there are only a few studies on the effect of thalassotherapy in these patients [12,40,41].…”

“…Aquatic therapy, according to Alonso [8], "is a therapeutic procedure in which the mechanical properties of water are used in combination with specific treatment techniques and intentions in order to facilitate the function and achievement of the proposed therapeutic objectives", and one of the main pathologies that benefit from these techniques is the neurological processes of an adult [9], including people affected by stroke. The integration of this methodological approach might be considered according recent reviews [10,11].…”

The efficacy of aquatic therapy in stroke rehabilitation

“…Aquatic therapy is a common treatment modality used to address the complexity of patients with neurological disorders with the goal to achieve optimal functional independence. [ 17 ] The physical properties of hydrodynamics, such as buoyancy, viscosity and thermodynamics, appear to benefit mobility in populations with disabilities. Although aquatic therapy continues to be widely utilized in neurorehabilitation, there is a lack of evidence on its effectiveness on mobility in adults with neurological disorders.…”