Watsu approach for improving spasticity and ambulatory function in hemiparetic patients with stroke

Chon, Seung Chul; Oh, Duck-Won; Shim, Jun Ho

doi:10.1002/pri.421

Cited by 21 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 14 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The remaining 20 studies reported on repeated measure designs involving within-group comparisons (14 case series, CSs [13,[54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65] including a collection of narrative retrospective reports [21]), and on single cases (6 CRs) [11,[31][32][33][34][35]. Tools chosen for assessment of the effects of WATSU considered physical and mental aspects.…”

Section: Study Designs and Assessmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Effect of WATSU on physical function. The ten articles included in the meta-analysis on physical function (with a total of 123 participants, 109 of them receiving WATSU) reported comparable quantitative data on gains of physical function related to fibromyalgia [8,58], occupational stress [59], neurological disorders [10,13,60,61], pregnancy [9], juvenile idiopathic arthritis [51], and healthy individuals [54]. To record effects of WATSU on physical function, range of motion was measured [54,59] or assessed by the Global Range of Motion Scale (GROMS) [51].…”

Section: Meta-analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To record effects of WATSU on physical function, range of motion was measured [54,59] or assessed by the Global Range of Motion Scale (GROMS) [51]. Also, the Tone Assessment Scale (TAS) [10,13], the modified Ashworth Scale [60], the Physical Function Subscale of the SF-36 [8,9,58], and the Katz index [61] were used. The overall effect size was Hedges's g = -0.76 (95% CI = -1.08 to -0.44) in favor of WATSU (Fig 3).…”

Section: Meta-analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, therapeutic indications of WATSU are reported in the literature, e.g. to address musculoskeletal conditions [8,9] neurologic diseases [10][11][12][13], and mental distress [14][15][16], to complement palliative care [17,18], or to meet the needs of cognitively impaired individuals [19][20][21][22]. Originating in the Asian philosophy of maintenance and restoration of health, WATSU can be considered as a floating massage, a tool for rehabilitation, a guided meditation to foster mindfulness and resilience, and a mediator of personal and spiritual growth [8,14,[23][24][25].However, the literature concerning WATSU appears to have been neither systematically reviewed nor evaluated to date.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Applications, indications, and effects of passive hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu)—A systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background WATSU (portmanteau word: water and shiatsu) is a form of passive hydrotherapy in chestdeep thermoneutral water (35˚C = 95˚F = 308.15 K). It combines elements of myofascial stretching, joint mobilization, massage, and shiatsu and is reported to be used to address physical and mental issues. The objective of this systematic review (PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42016029347) and the meta-analyses was to assess the applications, indications, and the effects of WATSU to form a basis for further studies. MethodsA search for "WATSU OR watershiatsu OR (water AND shiatsu)" was conducted without any restrictions in 32 databases. Peer reviewed original articles addressing WATSU as a stand-alone hydrotherapy were assessed for risk of bias. Quantitative data of effects on pain, physical function, and mental issues were processed in random model meta-analyses with subgroup analyses by study design. Effect sizes were expressed as Hedges's g (± 95% confidence intervals). ResultsOf 1,906 unique citations, 27 articles regardless of study design were assessed for risk of bias. WATSU has been applied to individuals of all ages. Indications covered acute (e.g. pregnancy related low back pain) and chronic conditions (e.g. cerebral palsy) with beneficial effects of WATSU regarding e.g. relaxation or sleep quality. Meta-analyses suggest beneficial effect sizes of WATSU on pain (overall Hedges's g = -0.71, 95% CI = -0.91 to -0.51), physical function (overall Hedges's g = -0.76, 95% CI = -1.08 to -0.44), and mental issues (overall Hedges's g = -0.68, 95% CI = -1.02 to -0.35). ConclusionVarious applications, indications and beneficial effects of WATSU were identified. The grade of this evidence is estimated to be low to moderate at the best. To strengthen the findings of this study, high-quality RCTs are needed. IntroductionWATSU (portmanteau word: English "water" and Japanese 指圧 "Shiatsu") was first described by its originator Dull in the 1980s as a treatment consisting of Japanese Shiatsu bodywork applied in thermal water [1]. To practice WATSU, a therapist stands in thermoneutral water (35˚C = 95˚F = 308.15 K), supporting the supine receiver with hands, forearms, or shoulders and softly moving her / him in slow and spacious circular motion sequences following elaborate movement patterns related to receiver's and therapist's level of experience [1]. The hands of the therapist function as a grip to facilitate movement and at the same time to stimulate acupuncture points. Gentle traction is applied to the body of the receiver to mobilize joints and stretch myofascial structures, as well as meridians, channels through which the life-energy (Chinese 氣 "qi", flows in the concept of Traditional Chinese Medicine [1,2]. During immersion, hydrostatic pressure influences fluid distribution, metabolism, and respiration. The impact of gravity is greatly reduced, thus decreasing joint loads and allowing maximal flexibility in the positioning of the treated individual [3,4]. The thermoneutral temperature of 35˚C is recommended because it all...

show abstract

Section: Study Designs and Assessmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Meta-analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Meta-analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Applications, indications, and effects of passive hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu)—A systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the preliminary studies, the positive effect of watsu® therapy on flexibility, relaxation and ANS activity was observed (Tufekcioglu and Hassanain 2016, Barbosa et al 2014, Tufekcioglu et al 2010. Watsu has been recommended for chronic pain and fibromyalgia (Faull 2005), depression (Maczkowiak et al 2007) and for patients with hemiparesis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and spinal cord injury (Chon et al 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of 12-Week Passive Aquatic Bodywork on Sympathovagal Balance of Obese Youth

Tufekcioglu¹,

Erzeybek²,

Kaya³

et al. 2018

JETS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Obesity has been identified as a global epidemic that is associated with numerous comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular disease. We have investigated the effects of Watsu® therapy and Immersion on HRV parameters of obese male subjects. Methods and Results:Volunteer 34 obese subjects with BMI above 30 without any other chronic health issues were included (age, 18.30±.31, height, 166.02±29.60, BMI, 36.54±5.96). Randomized controlled trial was conducted with Watsu and Immersion protocols whereas control group received no therapy in water or on land for 12 weeks. A baseline HRV was recorded 5 minutes in four different circumstances. Polar H7 heart rate sensor and digital standardized HRV signal processing software were used to record the R-R intervals in millisecond. The repeated measures were used to compare the conditions between the therapies. The HRV analyses were performed using three-way Mixed ANOVA. Multiple comparisons were done with a Bonferroni adjustment of the alpha level (0.05). The collective results of HF showed significant negative effect (13.01±1.36, 9.99±1.11) and HF laying supine value (20.62±2.22) was the highest (p<0.05).Conclusion: A significant inverse correlation was found between HRV values and both therapeutic interventions. Counterintuitively, 12-week of watsu and immersion therapies decreased LF and HF.

show abstract

Physical treatment interventions for managing spasticity after stroke

Monaghan¹,

Horgan

Blake

et al. 2011

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Watsu approach for improving spasticity and ambulatory function in hemiparetic patients with stroke

Abstract: Watsu was helpful in controlling spasticity and improving ambulatory function of the patients with hemiparesis.

Cited by 21 publications

References 14 publications

Applications, indications, and effects of passive hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu)—A systematic review and meta-analysis

Applications, indications, and effects of passive hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu)—A systematic review and meta-analysis

The Effect of 12-Week Passive Aquatic Bodywork on Sympathovagal Balance of Obese Youth

Physical treatment interventions for managing spasticity after stroke

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About