The effect of Training at different depths on the balance of chronic ischemic stroke patients

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is the most common and debilitating nervous disease in adults, which is a major problem in rehabilitation medicine. There is evidence that hydrotherapy is associated with increased immunity, reduced risk of falling, more pressure on the muscles, and challenging the balance system. Hydrotherapy is a method to improve outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 weeks of aquatic training in shallow and deep water on balance patients with stroke in Rafsanjan in 2017. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial (RCT) with pre-test and post-test design. 36 available male patients with chronic ischemic stroke were randomly divided into 3 same groups of 12 subjects including two groups (shallow, deep) and one control group. Experimental groups had the aquatic training program that included 6 weeks (3 sessions of exercises per week) and the control group did not experience any aquatic training. All participants were assessed their balance, used timed up and go test and the berg balance scale. Results: Findings showed that the mean age, height, weight and body mass index were not significantly different in the three groups (P > 0.05). The results showed that the intervention groups (shallow and deep water) had a significant increase in mean scores of balance (P < 0.001) were significantly increased, while this increase was not significant in the control group. Also, in both training groups (shallow and deep water), no significant superiority was observed in relation to each other, and the effect of both depth on balance tests were the same (P<0.005). Conclusion: The results showed that although the two different depths of water defined in this study had not any different effect on the mean scores of these variables, but the protocol of aquatic training in this study could be considered as a safe and effective method. Positive therapeutic and pharmaceutical treatments as well as a complementary treatment alongside new approach and effective way to improve balance in patients with chronic ischemic stroke regarded and used.