TITLE:
Aquatic physical therapy for Parkinson’s disease
AUTHORS:
Talita Gianello Gnoato Zotz, Eliani Arruda Souza, Vera Lúcia Israel, Ana Paula Cunha Loureiro
KEYWORDS:
Parkinson’s Disease; Motor Skills; Hydrotherapy; Halliwick Concept
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Parkinson's Disease,
Vol.2 No.4,
November
6,
2013
ABSTRACT: One of the predominant effects of PD is alteration of motor skills, which leads to compromised posture and physical balance. Aquatic physical therapy, performed in a heated pool, can serve as one of intervention alternatives for PD carriers. Aim: To analyze the effects of the Halliwick Concept hydrotherapy in acquisition of motor skills in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Methods: A clinical, qualitative method was used to evaluate 7 volunteers (59.85 ± 7.92 years of age, both male and female), who were in II and III stages of PD according to the Hoehn & Yar Scale. The participants were evaluated in the start and end of the interventions phase, and then the evaluation was conducted interventions in a heated pool (32?C - 34?C) twice a week, each session lasting approximately 30 minutes, totaling 10 sessions. The Halliwick Principles’ 3-phase 10-point methods were used for acquisition of aquatic motor skills. Results: They indicate an improvement in their ability to float in prone and supine positions (P = 0.04*) and longitudinal rotation in the bipedal position. Conclusion: The activation of motor control improved the motor skills of the participants.