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Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Publisher Pubmed



Shariat A1 ; Ghayour Najafabadi M2, 8 ; Ghannadi S3 ; Nakhostinansari A3 ; Hakakzadeh A4 ; Shaw BS5 ; Ingle L6 ; Cleland JA7
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Research Center for War-affected People, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Sports Medicine Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Physiotherapy Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Department of Human Movement Science, University of Zululand, Richards Bay, South Africa
  6. 6. Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Hull, Kingston-upon-Hull, United Kingdom
  7. 7. Therapy Program, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, United States
  8. 8. Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, 15th St., North Karegar St., Tehran, Iran

Source: European Geriatric Medicine Published:2022


Abstract

Purpose: Balance is a key component of movement for daily activities, especially in older adults. Previous studies examining aquatic therapy as an effective way for improving balance have yielded inconsistent findings. The current systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of aquatic therapy on balance among older adults. Methods: Sources include Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, ISI Web of Science, EBSCO, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Scopus. Randomized controlled or cross-over trials published by Feb 2020 were included following pre-determined search and selection criteria. Data extraction was performed by two researchers independently using a pre-determined data extraction form. Methodological quality was assessed by two reviewers using the PEDro scale which was used to rate trials according to criteria such as concealed allocation, blinding, and intention-to-treat analysis. Furthermore, meta-analysis was conducted where possible. This review was registered at PROSPERO CRD42018118382. Results: Fifteen trials with 385 healthy participants aged 50 or over were included. Results showed that aquatic therapy had a significant effect on dynamic balance (SMD, − 1.13; 95% CI, [− 1.45 to (− 0.82)]; I 2 = 77%). The analysis indicated that aquatic therapy improved balance ability compared to controls. Conclusions: Aquatic therapy has a positive impact on dynamic balance in older adults. However, further high-quality and appropriately powered studies are required to confirm this assertion. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Geriatric Medicine Society.
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