Τhe Effectiveness of Hydrotherapy Exercises on the Rehabilitation of Hemiplegic Patients

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hemiplegics
• Interventions: Procedure: Hydrokinesiotherapy Intervention; Procedure: Land-based exercise intervention

• Registration Number: NCT01460277
• Lead Sponsor: University of Ioannina

Brief Summary

The purpose of this current prospective study is to assess and compare the effects of a hydrotherapy exercise programme against a conventional land-based exercise programme in individuals with hemiplegia. Both exercise interventions aim at improving posture, balance and weight-bearing capability. Patients were randomized to the hydrotherapy or conventional therapy groups according to balance function (Berg Balance Scale score) and age (age\<59 and \>60 years). The physical examination consisted of (1) a lower-limb motor function recovery of the paretic side score according to the 6-stage Brunnstrom scale, (2) the hemiplegic limb strength measured by the Motricity Index, (3) the strength of ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors by manual muscle testing, (4) the spasticity of the ankle score by Modified Ashworth Scale, (5) the trunk function through the Trunk Control Test, (6) the postural control assessed by Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients and (7) the functional status measured with the Functional Independence Measure. Postural sway was evaluated with a pressure platform by using the variables of center of pressure (COP) displacements in the mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) directions. The results will be collected and evaluated using statistical programme SPSS.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2011-10
• Study First Submitted: 2011-10-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-10-25
• Study First Posted: 2011-10-26
• Primary Completion: 2016-10
• Study Completion: 2016-10
• Status Verified: 2019-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-07-12
• Last Update Posted: 2019-07-15

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• hemiplegia or hemiparesis after stroke or traumatic brain injury
• at least 6 months post-stroke from a single cerebrovascular accident
• independent in walking (with or without assistive device)
• clinical stable

Exclusion Criteria

• unstable cardiac conditions
• epilepsy
• urinary or faecal incontinence
• open wounds
• significant musculoskeletal problems in lower extremities from conditions other than stroke
• Alzheimer
• Parkinson's disease
• polyneuropathy
• vestibular disorders
• current participation in an exercise program

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Hydrokinesiotherapy	Hydrokinesiotherapy Intervention	A 6-week water-based exercise program that focused on balance and weight bearing exercises (3 days a week for 1 hour a session)
Conventional exercise intervention	Land-based exercise intervention	A 6-week land-based exercise program that focused on balance and weight bearing exercises (3 days a week for 1 hour a session)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change of postural and sitting balance at six weeks	At the time of admittance to the rehabilitation department (at baseline) and after six weeks	Postural balance and weight-bearing ability measured by vertical ground reaction force during standing, sitting and four standing tasks (rising from a chair and weight-shifting forward, backward and laterally)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change of function at 6 weeks	At the time of admittance to the rehabilitation department (at baseline) and after six weeks	Functional Indepedence Measure (FIM)
Change of balance at six weeks	At the time of admittance to the rehabilitation department (at baseline) and after six weeks	Berg Balance Score
Change of trunk control at 6 weeks	At the time of admittance to the rehabilitation department (at baseline) and after six weeks	Trunk Control Test (TCT)
Change of leg's motion at 6 weeks	At the time of admittance to the rehabilitation department (at baseline) and after six weeks	Motricity Index
Change of posture at 6 weeks	At the time of admittance to the rehabilitation department (at baseline) and after six weeks	Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patient (PASS)
Change of spasticity at six weeks	At the time of admittance to the rehabilitation department (at baseline) and after six weeks	with ashworth test
Change of leg's strength at 6 weeks	At the time of admittance to the rehabilitation department (at baseline) and after six weeks	6-stages Brunnstrom scale

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University Hospital of Ioannina; 🇬🇷 Ioannina, Greece