WATSU therapy for individuals with Parkinson's disease to improve quality of sleep and quality of life: A randomized controlled study

• Published in: Complementary therapies in clinical practice Vol. 46; p. 101523
• Main Authors: Loureiro, A.P.C., Burkot, J., Oliveira, J., Barbosa, J.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2022; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Aquatic physiotherapy; Clinical trials; Group therapy; Humans; Hydrotherapy; Intervention; Land; Mind-body therapies; Parkinson Disease - therapy; Parkinson's disease; Quality of Life; Relaxation; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Sleep Quality; Sleep Wake Disorders - etiology; Sleep Wake Disorders - therapy; Aquatic physiotherapy; Relaxation; Sleep disorders; Mind-body therapies; Hydrotherapy
• ISSN: 1744-3881; 1873-6947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101523

and Purpose: Sleep disorders are one of the most frequent non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). This study aimed to verify whether adding WATSU to land-based therapy leads to additional beneficial therapeutic effects regarding quality of sleep and quality of life (QOL) in individuals with PD.
A randomized control trial design was used. Participants completed nine-week interventions. The control group (CG) received land-based therapy, while the intervention group (IG) received the same land-based therapy and additionally WATSU. Sleep quality and QOL were measured at baseline and post-interventions by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Nottingham Health Profile, respectively.
Twenty-eight participants completed the study. In contrast to CG, the IG presented with significant improvements in both, quality of sleep and QOL (p < 0.001).
WATSU has the potential to be an attractive adjunct therapy for producing positive health impacts regarding sleep quality, which may translate to an overall improvement in QOL of individuals with PD.
•Sleep disorders are the most common disabling non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD).•WATSU therapeutic approach in a heated pool had positive effect in sleep quality of individuals with PD.•WATSU therapy should be considered an adjunct treatment for patients with PD.