Berber (2023) EFFECTS OF AQUATIC THERAPY ON DECREASING SPASTICITY IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY AND ADULTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES

This systematic review and critically appraised topic explored the effects of aquatic therapy compared to standard physical therapy (PT) on reducing spasticity and improving quality of life in two populations: children with cerebral palsy (CP) and adults with spinal cord injuries (SCI).

In children with spastic CP, aquatic therapy demonstrated notable improvements in gross motor function and quality of life but showed no statistically significant advantage over standard PT in directly reducing spasticity. However, studies highlighted its ability to enhance balance, flexibility, and self-efficacy.

For adults with SCI, aquatic therapy, when combined with standard PT, showed greater reductions in spasticity and improvements in mobility and quality of life compared to standard PT alone. This indicates that aquatic therapy can be a valuable complement in managing spasticity and associated symptoms in neurological disorders.

The systematic review included eight studies with mixed methodologies, highlighting variability in outcomes. While aquatic therapy appears promising, the review emphasizes the need for higher-quality research to validate its long-term benefits and develop standardized treatment protocols.

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