Τhe Effectiveness of Hydrotherapy Exercises on the Rehabilitation of Hemiplegic Patients (hydro)

University of Ioannina

Status: Completed

Conditions: Hemiplegics

Treatments: Procedure: Hydrokinesiotherapy Intervention; Procedure: Land-based exercise intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01460277

275/2011

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this current prospective study is to assess and compare the effects of a hydrotherapy exercise programme against a conventional land-based exercise programme in individuals with hemiplegia. Both exercise interventions aim at improving posture, balance and weight-bearing capability. Patients were randomized to the hydrotherapy or conventional therapy groups according to balance function (Berg Balance Scale score) and age (age<59 and >60 years). The physical examination consisted of (1) a lower-limb motor function recovery of the paretic side score according to the 6-stage Brunnstrom scale, (2) the hemiplegic limb strength measured by the Motricity Index, (3) the strength of ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors by manual muscle testing, (4) the spasticity of the ankle score by Modified Ashworth Scale, (5) the trunk function through the Trunk Control Test, (6) the postural control assessed by Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients and (7) the functional status measured with the Functional Independence Measure. Postural sway was evaluated with a pressure platform by using the variables of center of pressure (COP) displacements in the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) directions. The results will be collected and evaluated using statistical programme SPSS.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 25 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• hemiplegia or hemiparesis after stroke or traumatic brain injury
• at least 6 months post-stroke from a single cerebrovascular accident
• independent in walking (with or without assistive device)
• clinical stable

Exclusion criteria

• unstable cardiac conditions
• epilepsy
• urinary or faecal incontinence
• open wounds
• significant musculoskeletal problems in lower extremities from conditions other than stroke
• Alzheimer
• Parkinson's disease
• polyneuropathy
• vestibular disorders
• current participation in an exercise program

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

Hydrokinesiotherapy

Experimental group

Description:

A 6-week water-based exercise program that focused on balance and weight bearing exercises (3 days a week for 1 hour a session)

Treatment:

Procedure: Hydrokinesiotherapy Intervention

Conventional exercise intervention

Active Comparator group

Description:

A 6-week land-based exercise program that focused on balance and weight bearing exercises (3 days a week for 1 hour a session)

Treatment:

Procedure: Land-based exercise intervention