Long-term Efficacy of Aquatic Therapy on Balance and Gait in Older Adults: A Randomised Clinical Trial
Introduction: Balance and gait issues significantly contribute to fall-related injuries in older adults. Aquatic therapy interventions, such as Clinical Ai Chi (CAC), Water-Specific Therapy (WST) and the Bad Ragaz Ring Method (BRRM), have shown short-term benefits in enhancing balance and gait. Neve...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20945/78107_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_QC(PS_SS)_PF1(AG_SL)_PFA(IS)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf |
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| Summary: | Introduction: Balance and gait issues significantly contribute to fall-related injuries in older adults. Aquatic therapy interventions, such as Clinical Ai Chi (CAC), Water-Specific Therapy (WST) and the Bad Ragaz Ring Method (BRRM), have shown short-term benefits in enhancing balance and gait. Nevertheless, it is uncertain whether these improvements can be maintained over a longer duration.
Aim: To assess the long-term effectiveness of CAC, WST and BRRM in preserving balance and gait improvements 12 months after the intervention, with an emphasis on functional outcomes and the reduction of falls.
Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical study was conducted at Bangalore, Karnataka, India which involved 69 participants who completed an initial eight weeks of intervention. The sustainability of the eight-week intervention’s impact on balance and gait was evaluated over 12 months, with periodic assessments using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Balance Confidence Scale (BCS). Data were gathered through clinical assessments, self-reported fall records and mobility diaries. Statistical analysis involved repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc comparisons to investigate temporal trends and differences between groups.
Results: A 12-month follow-up revealed that the CAC group maintained clinically significant improvements in BBS (p-value <0.01) and DGI (p-value <0.012) scores. The WST group exhibited a delayed but progressive improvement in FRT and TUG scores, indicating sustained long-term benefits. However, the BRRM group showed only marginal improvements, which diminished over time. Furthermore, the CAC group reported significantly fewer self-reported falls compared to both the WST and BRRM groups (p-value <0.05), and participants in the CAC group also expressed increased confidence and improved mobility in their daily activities.
Conclusion: The study confirms the long-term efficacy of CAC in sustaining balance and gait improvements, reducing fall risk and enhancing confidence among older adults. WST showed delayed but beneficial effects, while BRRM exhibited limited long-term impact. Future research should explore tailored aquatic therapy protocols to maximise long-term benefits for diverse populations. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |