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K. Chandolias1, A. Tsiokanos2, E.A. Konstantinidou3
1International Hellenic University, Physical Therapy, Thessaloniki, Greece, 2University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Trikala, Greece, 3Animus, Larisa, Greece
Background: A review of the bibliography has shown that the issue of assessment in the aquatic environment has been neglected, in comparison to the assessment of the treatment on land. Most studies that have been and have evaluated the changes in the balance through water intervention concern the adult population and, in particular, patients after a stroke.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of Halliwick Hydrotherapy on the gross mobility, balance, speed and daily skills of children with cerebral palsy as well as the translation and weighting of specific water assessment trials in the Greek population
Methods: The study involved 85 children, including 80 with GMFCS and five typical developmental children with cerebral palsy. The duration of the intervention was 9 months. All children were evaluated through the GMFM, PEDI, TUG, PBS assessment trials, while the water intervention team was further evaluated through the WOTA 1 & 2, SWIM, HAAR special tests. A first group of 40 children was the main intervention team for both Bobath neurodevelopmental treatment on land, and the Halliwick concept – hydrotherapy in water, a session from each approach, weekly. A second group of 35 children, a control - intervention group 1 with the Bobath neurodevelopmental treatment on land, two sessions a week,and a third group, a control group 2 – without an intervention, consisting of 5 children, also with cerebral palsy
Results: A significant improvement was noted in the final evaluations at the end of nine months' intervention. In gross mobility, the water intervention group showed an improvement from an average of 56,640 (SD: 23,2091) to 62,738 (SD: 24,5434), while the land intervention group averaged 58,637 (SD: 22,7646), at 61,417 (SD: 22,6761 ). In the daily life skills, the water intervention team averaged 52,090 (SD: 20,1437), at 59,175 (SD: 21,2108), while the land intervention group averaged 52,429 (SD: 19,2459) before intervention, at 55,203 SD: 19.7252) after intervention. In the balance, the water intervention team averaged 23.75 (SD: 16.301) before intervention, at 23.75 (SD: 16.301), while the land intervention group average 23.09 (SD: 14.999) before intervention, at 25.06 (SD: 15.189). At the speed, the water intervention team showed a decrease in TUG execution time in sec from an average of 16.2500 (SD: 10.78279) before intervention, at 14.9643 (SD: 11.00667), while the land intervention team averaged 17.8519(SD : 10.26084), at 16.9630 (SD: 10.69321). In the adaptation to the aquatic environment, WOTA 1, 22.6500 (SD: 6.68285) to 32.1 (SD: 7.03300), WOTA 2, 25.700 (SD: 10.6820 to 44.6 (SD: 9.74625), SWIM, 30.4500 41.125 (SD: 5.94068) and HAAR from 18.075 (SD: 3.33887) to 23.4 (SD: 3.60768).
Conclusion(s): From the data processing of this study and taking into account its constraints, we conclude that Halliwick concept hydrotherapy helps positively over time to improve CP skills in water and on lad and also their adaptability.
Implications: The addition of hydrotherapy- Halliwick concept in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy enhances their improvement in gross motor function, in daily life activities, balance and speed.
Funding, acknowledgements: No Funding acknowledgements
Keywords: Cerebral Palsy, Halliwick, Bobath
Topic: Paediatrics: cerebral palsy
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Department of Physical Education and Sport Science University of Thessaly, Greece
Committee: The Ethics Committee at the Department of P.E. and Sport Sciences
Ethics number: 0
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
