title: Activity-specific aquatic therapy targeting gait for a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aquatic therapy can lead to improved mobility and health in individuals with various conditions. This case report looks at an activity-specific aquatic therapy targeting gait for a patient with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI).
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient participated in an individualized aquatic therapy program two times a week for 6 weeks. Assessment occurred prior to the intervention. There were two follow-up assessments after the intervention. Follow-up assessment 1 was completed within the same week as the final intervention. Follow-up assessment 2 was completed 4 weeks after the first follow-up to assess for carryover.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Improvements that met minimal detectable change and minimal clinically important difference were noted in The Walking for Spinal Cord Injury Index-II, Spinal Cord Injury Functional Ambulation Index gait parameters, and gait speed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An activity-specific aquatic therapy program improved gait in a patient with iSCI. The properties of water create a practical environment for safe practice of skills. Further studies are warranted in large samples.
authors.affiliation: a School of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy , Quinnipiac University , Hamden , CT , USA.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wall
authors.affiliation: b Kenmore Physical Therapy , Boston , MA , USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Falvo
authors.affiliation: c Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation , West Orange , NJ , USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kesten
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000072797:Walking Speed
keywords: Aquatic therapy; case report; spinal cord injury