title: Is hydrokinesitherapy effective on gait and balance in patients with stroke? A clinical and baropodometric investigation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with stroke present an asymmetric posture, severe balance dysfunction with delayed and disrupted equilibrium reactions, exaggerated postural sway and abnormal gait with an increased risk of falling. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of hydrokinesytherapy on stance, balance and gait in individuals after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this single-blinded randomized controlled trial, patients with stroke were divided into two groups: an experimental one (G1), performing hydrokinesytherapy (3 times/week) in addition to a conventional physical therapy (3 times/week) and a control one (G2), performing only a conventional physical therapy (6 times/week). All of the participants underwent a proper clinical and baropodometric evaluation before and after 8 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups presented similar clinical and instrumental features at enrolment (mean modified Rankin Scale of 3, and a disease duration of 6.3 ± 1.4 months). After treatment, the patients undergoing hydrokinesytherapy showed a significantly greater improvement than those undergoing traditional training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydrokinesytherapy may be considered a promising treatment in improving gait and balance in individuals following stroke.
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo' , Messina , Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furnari
authors.forename: Rocco Salvatore
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Calabrò
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gervasi
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: La Fauci-Belponer
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marzo
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Berbiglia
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paladina
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: De Cola
authors.forename: Placido
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bramanti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Assessment; rehabilitation; stroke