Influence of aquatic physical therapy on lung function in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: case series

Abstract

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rheumatic disease characterized by spine and joints inflammatory processes. Involvement of the lung, usually asymptomatic, leads to a restrictive ventilatory pattern. Aquatic physiotherapy is a recommended treatment in as much as water physical properties assist in reducing symptoms and performing exercises. This study aimed at assessing the effects of a program of aquatic physical therapy in AS patients lung function, through the analysis of spirometric parameters (FVC= forced vital capacity, FEV = forced expiratory volume, MVV = maximum voluntary ventilation). Four patients with AS, three men and one woman (mean age 33.25), were submitted to lung functional evaluation before and after the program, applied for 10 weeks, thrice a week. FVC increased in one subject; FEV increased in one, diminished in another and remained unchanged in the other two subjects. Tiffeneau index decreased in one subject and increased in two. MVV increased in one, decreased in another and did not change in the other two subjects. Since results of the spirometric assessment were not uniform along the subjects, further studies with greater samples and longer periods of time are necessary to check whether changes here found were hazardous or due to the treatment.