Session Information
Date: Monday, September 23, 2019
Session Title: Physical and Occupational Therapy
Session Time: 1:45pm-3:15pm
Location: Les Muses Terrace, Level 3
Objective: To analyze the effects of aquatic physiotherapy (AF) on the static and dynamic body balance of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Background: PD changes the body mass center and the support base, causing difficulties of body balance. Thus, person with PD presents difficulties in the activities of daily living and in the transfer of body weight, compromising their independence. As a way to minimize these impairments, AF has been highlighted in the improvement of this condition (1,2,3).
Method: A quasi-experimental, controlled, randomized study by convenience performed with people of both sexes, with a diagnosis of PD with independent gait and preserved cognitive status. The participants performed the evaluation, before and after aquatic intervention, by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scale. The FA program was based on the phases of Israel (2000) (4) and progressed step by step in the levels of complexity of motor skills. It consisted of gait training, muscular strength exercises, balance training and relaxation. A total of 24 AF interventions were added, twice a week, 40 minutes each, for 3 months. Statistical analyzes of normality was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test and nonparametric data were verified through Wilcoxon test.
Results: Sample composed of 11 participants (7 men and 4 women), average age 70,4 years old (±11,19) and classified in stages 2 to 3 of the Hoehn & Yahr Scale. The mean value of the pre intervention BBS was 48.18 (±1.85) and post – intervention was 52.36 (±0.91), with a statistically significant difference (p=0.021).
Conclusion: The proposed intervention was able to significantly modify the balance in the studied sample. The physical exercise proposed by AF associated with the physical and thermal properties of the water may favor training and balance reactions in people with PD. In addition, because the BBS was measured at land environment, it can be inferred that there was a positive transfer of the motor ability from the aquatic to the terrestrial environment.
References: 1- VOLPE, D.; GIANTIN, M.G.; MAESTRI, R.; FRAZZITTA, G. Comparing the effects of hydrotherapy and land-based therapy on balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled pilot study. Clin Rehabil. 28(12):1210-7, Dec, 2014. 2 – VIVAS, J.; ARIAS, P.; CUDEIRO, J. Aquatic therapy versus conventional land-based therapy for Parkinson’s disease: an open-label pilot study. Arch Phys Med Rehabil . 92:1202-10, 2011. 3 – PINTO, C.; SALAZAR, A.P.; MARCHESE, R.R.; STEIN C.; PAGNUSSAT, A.S. Is hydrotherapy effective to improve balance, functional mobility, motor status, and quality of life in subjects with Parkinson’s disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis. PMR. pii: S1934-1482(18)30931-6, Sep 25, 2018. 4 – ISRAEL, V.L.; PARDO, M.B.L. Hydrotherapy: proposal for a program of instruction in working with spinal cord injured in thermal pool. Fisioter Mov 13: 111–127, 2000 (in Portuguese).
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
V. Israel, D. Iucksch, J. Siega, A. Silva, B. Yamaguchi, M. Ferreira. Evaluation and Intervention of Aquatic Physiotherapy in People with Parkinson’s Disease: Repercussions on Balance [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2019; 34 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/evaluation-and-intervention-of-aquatic-physiotherapy-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease-repercussions-on-balance/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2019 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/evaluation-and-intervention-of-aquatic-physiotherapy-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease-repercussions-on-balance/