Effects of aquatic physiotherapy on life quality on subjects with Parkinson disease

Abstract

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive, degenerative disease of the central nervous system, and its symptoms may lead to a decline in quality of life (QOL) of patients, which may be positively influenced by aquatic physiotherapy (AP). The AP is a physiotherapy tool that uses the physical, physiological and kinesiological effects that come from immersing the body in a heated pool. The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 39 (PDQ-39) is the most appropriate instrument for assessing QOL of PD patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of AP on QOL of patients with PD, in stages from mild to moderate, through the PDQ-39. 13 PD patients were included, aged between 45 and 74, who were between stages 1-3 of the disease (Hoehn-Yahr). The patients underwent 16 sessions of AP twice a week, lasting one hour, in a heated therapy pool. The perception of QOL was measured by the PDQ-39, before and after AP. After AP, there was a statistically significant reduction (p<0.0001) both in the total score of the PDQ-39 and in all areas (p=0.032). QOL was more affected at higher stages of the disease. Before FA, QOL was worse in the more advanced stage of the disease, and despite improvement of QOL scores after the FA, the most advanced stage continues to show worse perception of QOL. AP led to an improvement in the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease in this study.