The Effects of Aquatic and Land Therapy on Balance and Related Factors in Persons With Total Hip or Knee Replacement

Balance is a term that encompasses the ability to maintain a posture and adjust to changes within the environment. It is related to mobility, independence, and safety in the elderly population. Studies of land and aquatic treatment programs, when evaluated separately, have shown varied results in regard to balance, muscle strength, and range of motion. The purpose of this study was to examine the data of seven subjects who had undergone total hip or knee replacement and assess the effects of a combination of aquatic and land therapies on balance and associated factors. This was accomplished by comparing repeated measures of balance and gait assessments, muscle strength, range of motion, and pain levels, conducted at specific intervals during inpatient and outpatient physical therapy treatment. A health survey was completed by each subject at the beginning of study participation, providing information on an individual’s perceived health and functional status prior to surgery. The results of this study demonstrated that a combination of aquatic and land physical therapy improved balance and related measures at a significant level in subjects who had total hip or total knee replacement procedures. Significant improvement between initial evaluation and discharge from treatment occurred at a 0.01 level for all four balance assessments, the four measures of passive range of motion, and two of three tests of muscle strength. Significant improvement at the 0.05 level was established for knee extensor strength and the subjects’ rating of pain. Improvement between the four repeated measures themselves did not always occur in a consistent progression. Further investigation is recommended to more fully determine the effects of aquatic and land intervention on balance, muscle strength, range of motion, pain and perceived health.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physical Therapy

Grantor

Southwest Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

1997

Author dc:creator

• Flees, Josephine J.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hunter, Diana

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Melzer, Barbara
• Boucher, Brenda

• equilibrium
• total hip replacement
• total knee replacement
• physical therapy

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/19066

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/19066