Aquatic Therapy for improving Lower Limbs Function in Post-stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT

Background

Lower limb disability is common in chronic stroke patients, and aquatic therapy is one of the modalities used for the rehabilitation of these patients.

Objectives

To summarize the evidence of the effects of aquatic therapy on lower limb disability compared to land-based exercises in post-stroke patients.

Methods

MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CENTRAL, SPORTDiscus, PEDro, PsycBITE, and OT Seeker were searched from inception to January 2019. The search included only randomized clinical trials. Two reviewers independently examined the full text and conducted study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment. Data synthesis was applied to summarize information from the included studies. The quantitative analysis incorporated fixed-effect models.

Results

Of the 150 studies identified in the initial search, 17 trials (629 participants) satisfied the eligibility criteria. Aquatic therapy improved balance based on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50–0.94; I² = 67%) compared with land-based exercises (control). Also, aquatic therapy had a small positive effect on walking speed (SMD, −0.45; 95% CI {-0.71 – (−0.19)}; I² = 57%), based on the results of the 10-m walking test, compared to controls. Aquatic therapy had a small positive effect on mobility (based on Timed Up and Go), (SMD, −0.43; 95% CI {-0.7-(- 0.17)}; I² = 71%) compared to land-based exercise (control).

Conclusions

Aquatic therapy had a more positive effect on walking speed, balance, and mobility than land-based exercises. Further research is needed to confirm the clinical utility of aquatic therapy for patients following stroke in the long term.

KEYWORDS:

• Hydrotherapy
• gait
• stroke
• lower limb function
• postural balance

Acknowledgments

Our special thanks go to the Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, for their support.

Ethics

The Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences approved this study. This work was done at the Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Data availability

N/A

Additional information

Funding

The University of Tehran supported this study (grant number: 30701.1.5);University of Tehran [30701.1.5];