Hydrotherapy for Pain in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Adelaida María Castro-Sánchez, Guillermo A. Matarán-Peñarrocha, Inmaculada Lara-Palomo, Manuel Saavedra-Hernández, Manuel Arroyo-Morales, Carmen Moreno-Lorenzo
Primary Institution: University of Almeria
Hypothesis
The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of an Ai-Chi aquatic exercise program against pain and other symptoms in MS patients.
Conclusion
An Ai-Chi aquatic exercise program significantly improves pain, spasms, disability, fatigue, depression, and autonomy in MS patients.
Supporting Evidence
- The experimental group showed a significant reduction in pain intensity versus baseline.
- Improvements were also observed in spasm, fatigue, disability, and autonomy.
- The effects of the Ai-Chi program lasted for up to 10 weeks after the treatment ended.
- Patients in the control group showed no significant differences in pain scores.
- Significant differences between groups were found at multiple time points.
Takeaway
This study found that doing special exercises in water can help people with multiple sclerosis feel less pain and better overall.
Methodology
A randomized controlled trial with 73 MS patients assigned to either an Ai-Chi exercise group or a control group for a 20-week treatment program.
Potential Biases
Participants were all members of the same association, which may have influenced their perceptions of the treatment.
Limitations
Participants were not blinded to group allocation, and the study did not include an Ai-Chi group without ambient music.
Participant Demographics
The final sample included 36 patients in the experimental group (26 females) and 35 in the control group (24 females).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.028
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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