Almost four million Americans are living with the long-term aftereffects of a stroke, with 40 percent experiencing moderate to severe impairments requiring special care, according to the National Stroke Association. Exercise can be a valuable tool in rehabilitation for stroke survivors, and hydrotherapy is particularly helpful for the weakest individuals. Water exercise isn't a cure for a stroke, but it can help improve strength, mobility and overall quality of life.
Identification
The word "hydro" refers to water, and hydrotherapy is the use of water as therapy. Hydrotherapy can be as simple as water compresses or a sauna, but when it comes to stroke rehabilitation, it primarily refers to partial or full immersion in a water-filled tub or pool. Water therapy has been used by many cultures since the time of the ancient Egyptians and Romans to treat aches and pains and other medical problems.
General Health Benefits
Water exercises can help improve your flexibility, strength, circulation and lung capacity. Since 90 percent of your body is buoyant in water, this takes the stress off your joints and is particularly helpful with the weakest stroke patients. Water also provides up to 14 times more resistance on land as you exercise and helps disperse body heat to avoid overheating. Stroke survivors who use a wheelchair, crutches or braces on land often find they aren't required while in the pool.
Balance
Stroke patients often experience problems with balance. Scientists at Seoul National University College of Medicine in Korea enrolled chronic stroke patients who were mobile in either an aquatic therapy group or a conventional gym therapy group. Their study, published in June 2008 in "Clinical Rehabilitation," found that the aquatic therapy group achieved significant improvements in three areas: Berg Balance Scale scores, forward and backward weight-bearing abilities of the affected limbs, and knee flexor strength, as compared to the traditional therapy group.
Cardiovascular Fitness
In another experiment at the University of British Columbia in Canada, stroke patients with mild to moderate residual motor deficits were divided into two groups, one involving an eight week, water-based exercise program and the other a control group who performed arm and hand exercises while sitting. The results were published in the June 2004 issue of "Archives Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation" and found the water group had significant improvements versus the control in muscle strength and walking speed and a 22 percent improvement in cardiovascular fitness.
Spasticity
Researchers in Japan investigated the use of foot baths on post-stroke patients who had problem with spasticity, stiff or rigid muscles that cause exaggerated tendon reflexes. Their results, published in "International Society of Biometeorology" in July 2010, found that patients whose legs were submerged from the knee down were in 106 degrees Fahrenheit water for 30 minutes had significantly reduced spastic episodes.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Health Benefits of Water-Based Exercise; April 2010
- United States Water Fitness Association: Information Regarding Water Exercise
- "Clinical Rehabilitation"; The Effect Of Aquatic Therapy On Postural Balance And Muscle Strength In Stroke Survivors; Dong Koog Noh, et al.; October/November 2008
- The Stroke Foundation; Healing Stroke With Water; Cheow Yu Yan
- American Cancer Society: Hydrotherapy
- "International Society of Biometeorology"; Beneficial Effects Of Footbaths In Controlling Spasticity After Stroke; S. Matsumoto, et al.; July 2010
