PAEDIATRIC AQUATIC PHYSIOTHERAPY AND IMPROVEMENTS IN ACTIVE MOVEMENT RELATED TO FUNCTIONAL AND PARTICIPATION GOALS: VIDEO CASE STUDIES OF SINGLE SESSIONS

¹Splash Physiotherapy, Melbourne, Australia

Background: Paediatric aquatic physiotherapy sessions were videoed to present the application of clinical reasoning in planning treatment sessions, including pre- and post- tests and novel treatment strategies.

Purpose: Change in active movement and motor control is expected within each paediatric aquatic physiotherapy session. These changes are steps towards achieving the child and family's participation and functional goals.

Methods: Cases include children with neuro developmental disabilities. Assessment and treatment sessions are play based, strengths based, and family centred. A land based home visit allows for thorough assessment, treatment planning, and to begin development of a relationship with the child and family. The ICF model is used to develop goals with the child and family, and to inform clinical reasoning. Novel treatment strategies are developed combining motor learning, Contemporary NDT, Halliwick and swim teaching, with deliberate use of water properties and novel equipment. Poolside spaces are used for land - based pre- and post- tests, and to facilitate carryover to land. The Australian Physiotherapy Association Aquatic Guidelines 2015 inform risk screening and management. The health and education team working with the family are consulted to assist in risk management and coordination of goals.

Results: Changes in a child’s ability to actively move during a 30 minute aquatic physiotherapy session are demonstrated by land - based pre- and post- tests. Swim safer skills and behaviours can be developed alongside land based goals within a session.

Conclusion(s): Goal directed, play based aquatic physiotherapy can draw from multiple treatment approaches to see improvement in active movement and motor control within each session, that has carry over in working towards functional and participation goals. Swim safer behaviours and skills should be included in paediatric aquatic physiotherapy sessions.

Implications: Aquatic physiotherapy can be used to work towards land based participation and function goals in paediatrics.

Funding acknowledgements: Unfunded

Topic: Paediatrics

Ethics approval: Not required. Full consent obtained from families and all involved people for use of their images and information.

All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.