Background/Purpose Aquatic exercise is frequently used as part of physical activity programs for persons with cerebral palsy (CP). A perceived benefit of water exercise in this population is the reduction of spasticity, however, there is limited empirical evidence to support this. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-week aquatic program using thermal aquatic body massage (TABM) on spasticity in adults with CP.
Method Four individuals (3 males, 1 female; mean age 40.25 yrs) with CP participated in a TABM aquatic intervention 45 minutes 1x/wk for six weeks. The Ashworth Scale was used to measure spasticity in the upper extremities immediately before and after each session.
Analysis/Results T-tests revealed a significant (p < .05) reduction in spasticity scores immediately post exercise. Mean (sd) scores pre and post were as follows: Week 1 - 4.30 (0.82), 3.17 (0.75); Week 3 - 4.25 (0.50), 3.50 (0.58); Week 6 - 3.75 (0.50), 2.75 (0.50). Spasticity scores across weeks showed no significant differences.
Conclusions TABM appears to have a short-term positive effect on spasticity scores in adults with cerebral palsy; however, lasting effects between sessions are not evident. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of TABM on spasticity with longer duration, a wider sample size, or the retention of the effects in a follow up assessment.
See more of: Research Consortium