The effect of aquatic therapy on functional mobility of infants and toddlers in early intervention.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aquatic therapy (AT) as an adjunct to home-based early intervention (EI) on differences in children's functional mobility.


METHODS
Thirty-seven children of ages six to 30 months (x = 24.2; SD = 8.5) with delayed functional mobility participated in this study. The AT group (n = 15) received weekly AT in a community pool in addition to home-based EI with a physical therapist (PT) or occupational therapist (OT). A randomly selected comparison group (n = 22) received home-based EI with a PT or OT. Baseline and postintervention scores on the Gross Motor Subsection of the Mullen Scales of Early Learning were compared between the AT and comparison group.


RESULTS
The AT group demonstrated significantly greater (p < 0.05) gains in functional mobility than the comparison group.


CONCLUSIONS
AT is a useful adjunct to EI to improve children's functional mobility.
McManus
Beth M
BM
Newborn Intensive Care Unit, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. bmcmanus@hsph.harvard.edu
Kotelchuck
Milton
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000379:methods; D013550:Swimming; D014867:Water
D014867:Water