Waller (2013) Aquatic Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Diseases: Current Evidence (ECEBAT)

Contents
• Summary of findings (WHO)
– Osteoarthritis
– Low Back Pain
– Joint replacement
– Fibromyalgia
– Rheumatoid Arthritis
– Ankylosising Spondylitis

Therapeutic Aquatic Exercise TAE can be defined as an intervention utilizing the mechanical and thermal characteristics of water during immersion , in combination with the effects of movement with a systematic approach to treat a health problem. TAE evokes short-term and long-term adaptation mechanisms of a person with a deranged biological system (World Confederation of Physical Therapy – Aquatic Physical Therapy International network; WCPT-APTI).

Take home message
Limited agreement on what an optimal TAE program should be composed of. TAE for persons with OA of the lower limbs has to be intensive enough following current exercise guidelines to produce physiological and sustained improvements in function. Booster sessions could maintain improvements in function. Remember resistance equipment.