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K. Yogarajan (2024) Effect of aquatic physiotherapy intervention on gross motor function, functional mobility and controlled stability in children with athetoid cerebral palsy – a case report

Aquatic physiotherapy has shown promising results in children with athetoid cerebral palsy, improving gross motor function, mobility, and stability. This case study involved an 11-year-old child undergoing six weeks of therapy using the Halliwick water-specific method combined with neurodevelopmental therapy. Key improvements included better crawling, kneeling, standing, walking, running, and jumping abilities. GMFM-88 scores increased significantly, with crawling/kneeling improving from 27% to 38%, standing from 20% to 40%, and walking/running/jumping from 34% to 48%.

In addition to physical gains, water orientation scores (WOTA) rose from 20 to 45 out of 81, indicating improved mental adaptation and balance. The therapy incorporated trunk stability training, strengthening exercises for lower limbs, and activities from the Halliwick 10-point program, performed three times a week over 30-minute sessions.

This intervention effectively combined the therapeutic benefits of aquatic exercises with traditional neurodevelopmental approaches. The results demonstrated notable enhancements in gross motor function, postural control, and overall functional mobility. Aquatic therapy also provided a safe, enjoyable environment, motivating the child to participate actively.

The findings highlight the importance of aquatic physiotherapy in comprehensive care plans for children with cerebral palsy. This method fosters physical, mental, and emotional growth, offering a well-rounded approach to therapy.

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The amount of publications about hydrotherpy have increased dramatically over the past decade. The EWAC Medical Knowledge Base is a Publication platform for knowledge about hydrotherapy. However, there are still many manuscripts which are not available for professionals within the hydrotherapeutic industry. Reasons are:

  • Publication in magazines which are not archived in PubMed
  • Manuscripts are kept as presentations or posters and used during events and are not submitted for use in magazines
  • Manuscripts from bachelor or PhD thesis are often not re-written in a publicabel manuscripts

The manuscript recquirements

  • May be in any language, as long as it contains an English abstract
  • May not be larger in size than 500kb for a Word document or 1 Mb in PDF format
  • Must contain the email address of the author
  • Will be assigned keywords by the commission, for example: : Lambeck_Daly_2010_fibromyalgia_quality-of-life_Dutch

Financial:

There is no payment required for the publication and there will be no remuneration granted by EWAC Medical. The EWAC Medical Knowledge Base is a Publication platform for knowledge about hydrotherapy.

Selection process:

The commission will screen the manuscript on the next points:

  • Does the topic of the manuscript relate to Hydrotherapy?
  • Does the manuscript contain advertisements
  • Are there ethical and morally conflicting interests portrayed in the manuscript?

Submits you manuscript to the EWAC Medical Hydrotherpy advisory board (Johan Lambeck).

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