Effects of aquatic therapy in children diagnosed with cerebral palsy : literature review

Abstract

One of the most prevalent childhood condition cerebral palsy is a result of brain injury. Movement and coordination of the individual are primarily affected in this condition. There are many types of treatment for this condition since management is the goal without a primary solution. Physical therapy aids in various ways as it helps maintain physical abilities and helps improve the condition. An intervention commonly used in physical therapy to aid the condition of cerebral palsy is aquatic therapy.

This literature review focuses on the role aquatic physical therapy plays in cerebral palsy as a form of management in children.

This thesis was subjected to the method of a literature review by following the principles of a systemic search. The databases used were PubMed, ScienceDirect, CINHAL, and manual search.

The results showed that aquatic physical therapy proved beneficial among children with cerebral palsy in many aspects like movement and coordination. It helped reduce the stiffness of muscles and the buoyancy effect of water aided in the free movement of those that suffered from spasticity due to the condition. Those who underwent aquatic physical therapy as a form of management for cerebral palsy showed greater balancing reactions and motor gains associated with truck control and head control compared to before aquatic therapy. In a few studies, children who received aquatic therapy combined with SUPAT (Stand-up paddle boarding aquatic therapy) exhibited physical, emotional, and mental benefits.

Data searches for this bachelor's thesis revealed that aquatic therapy showed gains in various features of the physical abilities of children who were subjected to cerebral palsy.