Home » Aquatic Therapy knowledge » Pathology » Geriatrics (Elderly)

Geriatrics (Elderly)

Back to previous page

Aquatic therapy, also known as hydrotherapy or water therapy, offers a highly beneficial and effective treatment approach for the geriatric population. As individuals age, they often face various health challenges, including musculoskeletal issues, neurological conditions, and chronic pain. Aquatic therapy provides a safe, low-impact, and supportive environment that can significantly improve the overall well-being and quality of life for elderly individuals.

The properties of water play a vital role in the benefits of aquatic therapy for the elderly. The buoyancy of water reduces the effects of gravity, providing a weightless environment that eases stress on aging joints and muscles. The warm temperature of the water also helps relax muscles and promotes circulation, offering pain relief and enhancing mobility.

Four specific aquatic therapy methods that can be particularly beneficial for the geriatric population are:

  1. Aquatic Exercise for Strength and Balance: Gentle aquatic exercises can improve muscle strength and enhance balance, reducing the risk of falls and promoting independence in daily activities.
  2. Ai Chi: Ai Chi, a water-based exercise combining elements of Tai Chi and Qigong, can help improve body awareness, stability, and relaxation for the elderly.
  3. Aquatic Gait Training: Walking or performing gait training in water can help elderly individuals with mobility issues improve their walking patterns and confidence.
  4. Aquatic Breathing and Relaxation Techniques: Aquatic therapy can offer deep breathing and relaxation exercises in the water, helping the elderly manage stress and anxiety and improve overall mental well-being.

Aquatic therapy can provide significant benefits for a range of diagnoses commonly experienced by the elderly, including:

  1. Osteoarthritis: Aquatic therapy offers a low-impact environment that helps alleviate joint pain and stiffness, making it ideal for elderly individuals with osteoarthritis.
  2. Parkinson’s Disease: Aquatic therapy can improve balance, coordination, and muscle strength for individuals with Parkinson’s, reducing the risk of falls.
  3. Stroke Rehabilitation: Aquatic therapy can aid in stroke rehabilitation, promoting motor recovery and enhancing mobility for elderly patients recovering from a stroke.
  4. Chronic Low Back Pain: Aquatic exercise for core strengthening and gentle range of motion can provide relief for elderly individuals suffering from chronic low back pain.
  5. Peripheral Neuropathy: Aquatic therapy can improve sensory awareness and balance for elderly individuals with peripheral neuropathy, enhancing their safety and confidence.

Aquatic therapy presents a valuable and effective treatment modality for the geriatric population. The specific aquatic therapy methods mentioned offer tailored interventions that address the unique needs of elderly individuals, promoting strength, balance, and overall well-being. By incorporating aquatic therapy into their treatment plans, healthcare professionals can optimize patient outcomes, alleviate pain, and improve the quality of life for the elderly population.

Product Videos

Articles

da Silva (2022) Effect of aquatic exercise on mental health, functional autonomy, and oxidative damages in diabetes elderly individualsLambeck (2022) IATF expert opinion Enhancing the quality of aquatic therapy for subacute and chronic stroke patientsHinman (2007) Aquatic physical therapy for hip and knee osteoarthritis- results of a single-blind randomized controlled trialHall (1996) A randomized and controlled trial of hydrotherapy in rheumatoid arthritisLund (2008) A randomized controlled trial of aquatic and land-based exercise in patients with knee osteoarthritisLau (2014) Physiotherapist-designed aquatic exercise programme for community-dwelling elders with osteoarthritis of the knee: a Hong Kong pilot studyWaller (2016) The effect of aquatic exercise on symptoms, function, body composition and cartilage in knee osteoarthritisWyatt (2001) The effects of aquatic and traditional exercise programs on persons with knee osteoarthritisMethajarunon (2016) Systematic review of published studies on aquatic exercise for balance in patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and hemiplegia.Henwood (2015) Physical and functional implications of aquatic exercise for nursing home residents with dementiaBecker & Lynch (2018) Case Report Aquatic Therapy and End-Stage DementiaMyers (2013) Aquatic therapy and Alzheimers diseaseZotz (2013) Aquatic physical therapy for Parkinson’s diseaseMorer (2020) Evaluation of the Feasibility of a Two-Week Course of Aquatic Therapy and Thalassotherapy in a Mild Post-Stroke PopulationGraca (2020) Immediate Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Balance in Older Adults with Upper Limb Dysfunction: An Exploratory StudyChien (2020) Land versus water HIIE (HIIT) effects on muscle oxygenation and physiological parameter responses in postmenopausal women (Scientific Reports by Nature)Denning (2010) Underwater Treadmill Exercise as a Potential Treatment for Adults With OsteoarthritisRoper (2013) Acute Aquatic Treadmill Exercise Improves Gait and Pain in People With Knee OsteoarthritisLambeck (2020) Aquatic Therapy a valuable intervention in neurological and geriatric physiotherapy a narrative reviewHamacher (2018) Thinking While Moving or Moving While Thinking – Concepts of Motor-Cognitive Training for Cognitive Performance EnhancementTurner (2018) Falls in Geriatric populations and Hydrotherapy as an intervention; A Brief ReviewAvelar (2011) Effectiveness of aquatic and non-aquatic lower limb muscles endurance training in the static and dynamic balance of elderly peopleNiks & ‘t Hoofd (2017) Aquamentia, Introducing a Newly Developed Swimming Intervention for People With DementiaArnold (2010) The Effect of Aquatic Exercise and Education on Lowering Fall Risk in Older Adults With Hip OsteoarthritisLim (2014) The Influence of Short-term Aquatic Training on Obstacle Crossing in Gait by the ElderlyAyan (2015): Parkinson systematic reviewVolpe (2014) Comparing the effects of hydrotherapy and land-based therapy on balance in patients with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled pilot studyWaller (2013) Effects of a progressive aquatic resistance exercise program on the biochemical composition and morphology of cartilage in women with mild knee osteoarthritis: protocol for a randomised controlled trialVivas J (2011) Aquatic Therapy Versus Conventional Land Based Therapy for Parkinsons Disease An Open-Label Pilot StudyThe American Parkinson Disease Association (2001) Aquatic exercises for Parkinson’s diseaseTakeshima (2002) Water-based exercise improves health-related aspects of fitness in older womenSilva (2008) Hydrotherapy Versus Conventional Land-Based Exercise for the Management of Patients With Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Randomized Clinical TrialPatrick (2001) Economic evaluation of aquatic exercise for persons with osteoarthritisNguyen (1997) prolonged effects of 3 week therapy in a spa resort on lumbar spine, knee and hip osteoarthritis: follow-up after 6 months. a randomized controlled trialMichalsen (2003) Thermal hydrotherapy improves quality of life and hemodynamic function in patients with chronic heart failure.Lim HS (2013) An 8-week Aquatic Exercise Program is Effective atLau (2013) Physiotherapist-designed aquatic exercise programme for community-dwelling elders with osteoarthritis of the knee: a Hong Kong pilot studyLambeck and Gamper (2006) The EWAC obstacle course in fall preventionHernandez Ruiz (2011) knee osteoarthritis (Spanish)Harmer (2009) Land- based versus water-based rehabilitation following total knee replacementFransen (2007) Physical activity for osteoarthritis management- a randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating hydrotherapy or Tai Chi classes.Cochrane (2005) Randomised controlled trial of the cost-effectiveness of water-based therapy for lower limb osteoarthritisCider (2003) Hydrotherapy-a new approach to improve function in the older patient with chronic heart failureBrugghemans (2011) Parkinson gait balance endurance (dutch)Bonnyman (2011) Assessment of Bone Geometry in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis of the Spine Before and After a 6 Month Aquatic Exercise ProgramBergamin (2013) Water- versus land-based exercise in elderly subjects effects on physical performanceAlikahajeh A (2012) Effects of hydrotherapy in static and dynamic balance amoung elderly menAlbarello P (2012) Efeitos da Fisioterapia Aquática em um indivíduo com Síndrome Pós-Pólio Relato de CasoTeixeira (2007) Influence of Ai Chi on balance and fear of falling on older adults (portuguese)Seo (2009) adults balance rotation vestibular function (Korean)Sattar (2012) Effect of aquatic resistance training on blood pressure and physical function of postmenopausal womenSarvestanil (2012) Aquatic balance training for inactive elder malesGomes (2009) The beneficial effects of aquatic therapy on balance in the elderly and on fall prevention (Portuguese)Colado (2012) Effects of Aquatic and Dry Land Resistance Training Devices on Body Composition and Physical Capacity in Postmenopausal WomenChi DY. (2011). The effect of aquatic exercise on the peak torque and stability of knee joints of elderly womenBalsamo (2013) aquatic exercise for postmenopauzal women

Slides

Aqua fitness in elderly (Soares; 2009)
Select a category
Mental health
Dermatology / Burns
Oncology
Rheumatism, Fibromyalgia, (Osteo)-Arthritis
Neurology
Musculoskeletal
Post-surgery / trauma
Sports injuries
Geriatrics (Elderly)
Pediatrics (Children)
Cardiopulmonal
Back to previous page

More results...

Generic filters
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Search in excerpt
Contact