Report on Investigation of the Effectiveness of Aquatic Therapy v/s Land-Based Therapy

Running Head: AQUATIC THERAPY VERSUS LAND-BASED THERAPY 1
Investigation of the effectiveness of Aquatic therapy versus Land-Based Therapy for
rehabilitation of the elderly and people with disabilities.
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AQUATIC THERAPY VERSUS LAND-BASED THERAPY 2
Introduction
Water has been a necessity for human beings throughout human history. Due to its unique
physical characteristics, water serves multiple human needs ranging from cleaning to generating
power.in the therapeutic realm of exercise and rehabilitation, the natural aquatic environment has
been used to prevent and treat injuries and disorders. Today, researchers have taken interest in
aquatic therapy and a large portion of research demonstrates that is an efficient tool in the
rehabilitation of old and people living with disabilities. Pegito et al., (2018) show that many
people living with disabilities (especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder) also suffer from
Sensory Integration disorder. This means that they have a challenge in processing, interpreting,
and reacting to sensory input. The challenges in sensory processing can result in self-harming,
antisocial, and other unsuitable outbursts and behaviors. Aquatic therapy has proved to be a
useful and unique way to assist in strengthening the sensory processing skills for people with
sensory disorders. According to Ballington (2018), the aging process on musculoskeletal factors
can lead to balance dysfunction. This challenge can lead to medical issues such as osteoporosis,
Parkinson's disease, and stroke. The physical characteristic of water enhances the application of a
large variety of therapeutic strategies that can enhance balance control. Besides aquatic therapy,
land-based therapies can also be integrated to solve several health conditions. The purpose of this
research is to assess whether aquatic therapy benefit old and people with disabilities more than
land-based therapies.
Literature review
Aquatic therapy or hydrotherapy is a special type of treatment that involves exercising in water.
Neira et al., (2017) indicate that hydrotherapy is used to enhance patient’s mobility both before
and after surgery. The method also helps people to complete movements that their age, pain (like

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arthritis), and disabilities may prevent. Water wheelchairs, hoists, and ramps, as well as the
variation of water depth, makes the pool accessible to everybody. According to Ballington
(2018), aquatic therapy also uses distinctive equipment to improve posture, strengthen muscles,
and enhance walking ability without inducing pain. Warm temperature, usually between 320C
and 340C, is set in the pool to stimulate circulation, relax muscles, decrease swelling, reduce
spasticity, and reduce pain (Marinho et al., 2019). Hydrotherapy utilizes buoyancy to reduce
stress on muscles, bones, and joints by decreasing the weight-bearing load going through these
structures. The exercises performed in water are less painful and recommended more than the
exercises performed on land. According to Zivi et al., (2018), Aquatic therapy is beneficial
especially to people with difficulty in weight-bearing activities or walking on land due to
disabilities or old age and the pain associated with land therapy. Marinho et al., (2019) show that
Aquatic therapy makes use of water density. Since water density is greater than air density, the
patient or trainee’s muscles are needed to work harder to overcome the resistance of moving in
the water. The amount of resistance applied can be varied depending on the depth of water, type
of the movement made and the speed. This enhances a variety of workouts depending on
personal goals and goals set by the exercise physiotherapist.
The majority of research supporting aquatic therapy has been done after 1960. However, water
has been used for therapy throughout human history. For instance, springs or spars were used by
the ancient Roman and Greeks to promote relaxation and improve circulation thousands of years
ago. Swiss monks also appreciated curative features of water. In as early as 1238AD, Bayraktar
et al., (2016) illustrate that Swiss Monks would immerse disabled or sick patients from basket
down the cliffs into thermal water. The immersion in warm water aided in decreasing pain and
improving flexibility in patients. A therapeutic medical center and spar were established in

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Switzerland in the 19th and 20th centuries. Marinho et al., (2019) shows that people would travel
from miles away to encounter the curative ability of the special water. Floatation support was
made in 1957. This support was used together with the exercises carried out in this exemption
spar. The method would later develop into what is currently known as the Bad Ragaz technique
of water therapy. The therapists would create progressions using active and passive exercises
while moving in water in a supine position. The method used the physical characteristics of
water as an instrument for muscle reeducation and incorporated special sequences of relaxation,
range of motion, elongation, and resistance to reduce torn and build endurance.
During the second world war, Joseph Pilates made the Pilates Method of water therapy. The
pilate Method resembles Yoga although it concentrates on water movements through several
poses. Pilate aimed to develop a string of combined exercises that would improve posture and
tone muscles, flexibility, and balance. Similar to Yoga, Pilate motions are non-impact and need
mental discipline and concentration to be performed effectively. Originally, the Pilate method
used a special apparatus. However, it is currently done on the floor or the mat. The Pilate
method has been found useful for people who are unable to exercise safely on land in most
surroundings or those looking for a challenging and new exercise experience.
Zivi et al., (2018) show that aquatic therapy was used to rehabilitate the polio survivors and the
world war II veterans and it produced a diagnostic structure. The Japanese believed that hot
springs have diagnostic effects such as treating skin problems, relieving constipation, treating
menstrual disorders, and curing chronic pain (Marinho et al., 2019). German physicians firmly
believed in pediatric aquatic therapy. In the 1960s and 1970s, Ballington, (2018) show that there
was a great popularity of water birthing in Germany.
Methodology