Effect of aquatic therapy on balance and gait in stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pradeepa Nayak; Amreen Mahmood; Manikandan Natarajan; Aditi Hombali; C. G. Prashanth; John M. Solomon

doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101110

Effect of aquatic therapy on balance and gait in stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pradeepa Nayak
, Amreen Mahmood
, Manikandan Natarajan
, Aditi Hombali
, C. G. Prashanth
, John M. Solomon^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The evidence on aquatic therapy (AT) for improving balance and gait deficits post-stroke is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of AT on balance and gait in stroke survivors. Methods: We searched CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Aqua4balance, Ewac, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases from inception to 1^st November 2019. Results: Eleven studies with 455 participants were included for the review. Meta-analysis showed that AT was effective for improving balance (MD 3.23, 95% CI 1.06, 5.39; p = 0.004; I² = 61%) and gait speed (MD 0.77, 95% CI 0.25, 1.29; p = 0.004; I² = 0%) when delivered alone. AT was effective in improving cadence (MD 4.41, 95% CI 0.82, 8.00; p = 0.02; I² = 68%) when delivered as an adjunct to land-based therapy. Conclusion: AT may be used to improve balance and gait after stroke; however, the evidence to support its use is still low.

Original language	English
Article number	101110
Journal	Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
Volume	39
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101110
Publication status	Published - 05-2020

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Complementary and alternative medicine

Access to Document

10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101110

Cite this

@article{39cb18a74e404353922f0966d08e8fd3,

title = "Effect of aquatic therapy on balance and gait in stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis",

abstract = "Background: The evidence on aquatic therapy (AT) for improving balance and gait deficits post-stroke is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of AT on balance and gait in stroke survivors. Methods: We searched CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Aqua4balance, Ewac, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases from inception to 1st November 2019. Results: Eleven studies with 455 participants were included for the review. Meta-analysis showed that AT was effective for improving balance (MD 3.23, 95\% CI 1.06, 5.39; p = 0.004; I2 = 61\%) and gait speed (MD 0.77, 95\% CI 0.25, 1.29; p = 0.004; I2 = 0\%) when delivered alone. AT was effective in improving cadence (MD 4.41, 95\% CI 0.82, 8.00; p = 0.02; I2 = 68\%) when delivered as an adjunct to land-based therapy. Conclusion: AT may be used to improve balance and gait after stroke; however, the evidence to support its use is still low.",

author = "Pradeepa Nayak and Amreen Mahmood and Manikandan Natarajan and Aditi Hombali and Prashanth, \{C. G.\} and Solomon, \{John M.\}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020",

year = "2020",

month = may,

doi = "10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101110",

language = "English",

volume = "39",

journal = "Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice",

issn = "1744-3881",

publisher = "Churchill Livingstone",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effect of aquatic therapy on balance and gait in stroke survivors

T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis

AU - Nayak, Pradeepa

AU - Mahmood, Amreen

AU - Natarajan, Manikandan

AU - Hombali, Aditi

AU - Prashanth, C. G.

AU - Solomon, John M.

PY - 2020/5

Y1 - 2020/5

N2 - Background: The evidence on aquatic therapy (AT) for improving balance and gait deficits post-stroke is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of AT on balance and gait in stroke survivors. Methods: We searched CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Aqua4balance, Ewac, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases from inception to 1st November 2019. Results: Eleven studies with 455 participants were included for the review. Meta-analysis showed that AT was effective for improving balance (MD 3.23, 95% CI 1.06, 5.39; p = 0.004; I2 = 61%) and gait speed (MD 0.77, 95% CI 0.25, 1.29; p = 0.004; I2 = 0%) when delivered alone. AT was effective in improving cadence (MD 4.41, 95% CI 0.82, 8.00; p = 0.02; I2 = 68%) when delivered as an adjunct to land-based therapy. Conclusion: AT may be used to improve balance and gait after stroke; however, the evidence to support its use is still low.

AB - Background: The evidence on aquatic therapy (AT) for improving balance and gait deficits post-stroke is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of AT on balance and gait in stroke survivors. Methods: We searched CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, Aqua4balance, Ewac, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases from inception to 1st November 2019. Results: Eleven studies with 455 participants were included for the review. Meta-analysis showed that AT was effective for improving balance (MD 3.23, 95% CI 1.06, 5.39; p = 0.004; I2 = 61%) and gait speed (MD 0.77, 95% CI 0.25, 1.29; p = 0.004; I2 = 0%) when delivered alone. AT was effective in improving cadence (MD 4.41, 95% CI 0.82, 8.00; p = 0.02; I2 = 68%) when delivered as an adjunct to land-based therapy. Conclusion: AT may be used to improve balance and gait after stroke; however, the evidence to support its use is still low.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85078857197

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85078857197#tab=citedBy

U2 - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101110

DO - 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101110

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85078857197

SN - 1744-3881

VL - 39

JO - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

JF - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

M1 - 101110

ER -

Effect of aquatic therapy on balance and gait in stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this