Gamper & Lambeck (2006) Therapeutic Manual EWAC Obstacle Course EN

Therapeutic Manual EWAC Obstacle Course
By Urs Gamper and Johan Lambeck
EWAC Medical, The Netherlands, 2006

Fall prevention is an important topic for the geriatric population as well as for patients with neurological, rheumatic or orthopaedic conditions. One approach to train strategies and mechanisms for fall reduction is the obstacle course. An obstacle course first was described in literature by K. Means in 1996 and more recently by H. Rijken in 2004. These courses mimic obstacles that one meets in daily living situations, both inside and outside. They also can include cognitive challenges at the same time, like carrying a tray with glasses, listening to a story and memorize the amount that a specific word is mentioned etc.

The document provides a comprehensive guide on utilizing an aquatic obstacle course for therapeutic purposes, focusing on fall prevention and balance improvement in geriatric and patients with neurological, rheumatic, or orthopaedic conditions. It details the benefits of water-based exercises, offering a safe environment for patients to enhance their mobility and balance without the fear of falling. The manual outlines various exercises, categorizing them by difficulty and incorporating balance strategies from literature to maximize therapeutic outcomes. This approach not only aids physical rehabilitation but also incorporates cognitive challenges to ensure a holistic treatment modality.

Keyphrase: Aquatic Obstacle Course Therapy Guide

Keywords: aquatic therapy, fall prevention, balance improvement, therapeutic exercises, rehabilitation