Highlights
- •Aquatic therapy has positive effects on postural balance in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- •Aquatic therapy improves different kinds of fatigue, including psychological, physical, and cognitive fatigue, in patients with multiple sclerosis.
- •No adverse effects were reported for aquatic therapy for treating patients with multiple sclerosis.
Abstract
Objective
In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the impact of long-term
aquatic exercise training on balance, fatigue, and motor function.
Methods
Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid
Medline, EBSCO Cumulative Index to Nursing, and Allied Health Literature were searched
on April 19, 2021. The search included randomized and non-randomized controlled trials,
case-control studies, case series, and case reports. Two independent reviewers reviewed
titles and abstracts to determine which studies satisfied the eligibility criteria.
Two reviewers independently surveyed the full texts and conducted the study selection,
data extraction, and quality assessment. Data synthesis was applied to summarize information
from included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.
Results
From 170 studies that were identified in the initial search, 16 trials (794 participants)
satisfied the eligibility criteria. Aquatic therapy had a positive effect on fatigue
compared to control group based on Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) in physical
(SMD, -1.29; 95% CI, [(-1.65) - (-0.93)]; I2=88%) cognitive (SMD, -0.75; 95% CI, [(-1.08)-(- 0.43)]; I2=78%), and psychological (SMD, -1.25; 95% CI, [(-1.59) - (-0.90)]; I2=79%) domains, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) (SMD, -0.53; 95% CI, [(-0.86) - (-0.20)];
I2=57%). In addition, aquatic therapy improved balance based on the Berg Balance Scale
(BBS) compared to the control group (SMD, 1.19; 95% CI, [(0.62)-(1.76)]; I2=11%)
Conclusions
Aquatic therapy has positive effects on fatigue and balance. Further research is needed
to confirm the clinical utility of aquatic therapy for multiple sclerosis patients
in the long term.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 13, 2022
Accepted:
August 12,
2022
Received in revised form:
August 5,
2022
Received:
October 7,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
