title: Effect of Underwater Exercise on Lower-Extremity Function and Quality of Life in Post-Stroke Patients: A Pilot Controlled Clinical Trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To date, controlled clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of underwater exercise in improving the lower-extremity function and quality of life (QOL) in post-stroke patients have yet to be conducted. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether repeated underwater exercise enhances the therapeutic effect of conventional therapy for post-stroke patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a pilot controlled clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study took place in a research facility attached to a rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective trial included 120 consecutive post-stroke inpatients with hemiplegic lower limbs (Brunnstrom stage 3-6). Patients were assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Patients in the experimental group received both repeated underwater exercise and conventional rehabilitation therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The underwater exercise consisted of 30-min training sessions in a pool with a water temperature of 30-31°C in which patients followed the directions and movements of trained staff. Training sessions were conducted once a day on 2 days of the week for a total of 24 times. Patients in the control group received only the conventional therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 10-Minute Walk Test (10MWT), the Modified Ashworth Scale, and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey were the outcome measures used. Lower-extremity function and QOL were assessed before and upon completion of the 12-week program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Improvements in 10MWT results and spasticity parameters were greater in the experimental group than they were in the control group (p < 0.01). Significant differences between the groups were observed in magnitudes of changes of all QOL parameters (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combining conventional therapy with repeated underwater exercise may improve both lower-extremity function and QOL in post-stroke patients.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University , Kirishima City, Japan .
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Rehabilitation, Kirishima Rehabilitation Center of Kagoshima University Hospital , Kirishima City, Japan .
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Uema
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Rehabilitation, Kirishima Rehabilitation Center of Kagoshima University Hospital , Kirishima City, Japan .
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Rehabilitation, Kirishima Rehabilitation Center of Kagoshima University Hospital , Kirishima City, Japan .
authors.forename: Kodai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Miyara
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Rehabilitation, Kirishima Rehabilitation Center of Kagoshima University Hospital , Kirishima City, Japan .
authors.forename: Tomofumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Rehabilitation, Kirishima Rehabilitation Center of Kagoshima University Hospital , Kirishima City, Japan .
authors.forename: Tomokazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Noma
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University , Kirishima City, Japan .
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimodozono
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D013551:Swimming Pools; D055815:Young Adult