A recent study found that hydrotherapy is
particularly beneficial for arthritis
sufferers. One hundred thirty-nine
patients with chronic rheumatoid arthritis
were randomly assigned to receive
hydrotherapy, seated immersion, land
exercise, or progressive relaxation.
Patients attended 30-minute sessions twice
weekly for 4 weeks. Physical and
psychological measures were completed
before and after intervention, and again
at a 3-month follow-up.
The results showed that all patients
improved physically and emotionally, as
assessed by the Arthritis Impact
Measurement Scales 2 questionnaire. The
patients' belief that their pain was
controlled by chance happenings decreased,
signifying not just improvement in their
condition but also in their belief to be
able to manage their symptoms.
However the data revealed conclusively
that the hydrotherapy patients showed
significantly greater improvement in joint
tenderness and in knee range of movement
(women only) than the other patients. And
at the follow-up measurement, the
hydrotherapy patients maintained the
improvement in emotional and psychological
state.
The report concluded that although all
patients experienced some benefit,
"hydrotherapy produced the greatest
improvements", and the researchers stated
that there is clear evidence of the
benefits of hydrotherapy for arthritis
sufferers to support the continued use of
this therapy as an effective adjunct
treatment.
Hall J; Skevington SM; Maddison PJ;
Chapman K A randomized and controlled
trial of hydrotherapy in rheumatoid
arthritis.Arthritis Care Res (UNITED
STATES) Jun 1996, 9 (3) p206-15T
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