title: Efficacy of aquatic therapy for multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, progressive, disabling autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Symptoms and signs of MS vary widely and patients may lose their ability to walk. To date the benefits of aquatic therapy often used for rehabilitation in MS patients have not been reviewed. The aim of this study was to systematically review the current state of aquatic treatment for persons with MS (hydrotherapy, aquatic therapy, aquatic exercises, spa therapy) and to evaluate the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of this therapeutic option.
  
  
  METHODS
  The databases PubMed, Scopus, WoS and PEDro were searched to identify relevant reports published from January 1, 2011 to April 30, 2016.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 306 articles identified, only 10 fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 5 randomized controlled, 2 simple randomized quasi-experimental, 1 semi-experimental, 1 blind controlled pilot and 1 pilot.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evidence that aquatic treatment improves quality of life in affected patients was very good in two studies, good in four, fair in two and weak in two.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, UCM Faculty of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Iluminada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Corvillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, UCM Faculty of Medicine, Madrid, Spain - evarelah@ucm.es.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, UCM Faculty of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Armijo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, UCM Faculty of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Badillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, UCM Faculty of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Onica
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Armijo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, UCM Faculty of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Maraver
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome