The effects of an individual hydrotherapy program on static and dynamic balance in children with cerebral palsy in Sri Lanka
Loading...
Date
2019-10-24
Authors
Wadu Mesthri, Surandi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Problem: Poor balance is considered a major issue that children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) encounter. Since balance skills constitute a crucial part of gross motor ability, compromised balance control in these children with CP have a varied impact on their everyday life. Hydrotherapy has been used in the rehabilitation of children with CP, but little is known about the effects of this rehabilitative modality on both static and dynamic balance of children with CP especially in Sri Lanka where no hydrotherapy study has been conducted. Therefore, the purpose of this present study is to examine the feasibility of a 6-week aerobic exercise-based hydrotherapy program and its effects on static and dynamic balance in children with CP in the Sri Lankan context.
Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-post-test design without a control group was used. Five children with mild to moderate CP between the ages 7 and 11 years participated in 45-minute hydrotherapy sessions twice per week for 6 weeks. Training intensity was monitored and expressed as a percentage of Heart Rate Reserve (HRR). The primary outcome measures were static and dynamic balance as measured by the Pediatric Reach Test (PRT) and modified Timed-Up and Go (mTUG) test, respectively. As the secondary outcome measure, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of children was assessed by the primary caregiver using 5-item Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).
Results: All participants were able to achieve and maintain an intensity level of 30% to 60% of HRR with an average intensity level of 43% during the intervention period. Except forward reach distance when sitting, all other components of the PRT showed improvement with statistical significance at p < 0.004 with Bonferroni correction. The mTUG test did not show statistically significant improvement even though there was a positive trend towards improvement. All the participants showed improvement in HRQOL, but the findings were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: This 6-week aerobic exercise-based hydrotherapy program was feasible and demonstrated potential for improving static and dynamic balance abilities in children with CP.
Description
Keywords
Cerebral palsy, Hydrotherapy, Balance, Sri Lanka