The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy

Background: We aimed to compare and examine the effect of aquatic interventions, Watsu® vs Immersion, on the autonomic nervous system and the range of motion in children with cerebral palsy, due to common belief that use of Watsu is beneficial for the special needs. Material and methods: Twenty-thr...

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Main Author: ERTAN TUFEKCIOGLU
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu w Gdansku 2020-12-01
Series:Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity
Subjects:
Online Access:http://bjhpa.journalstube.com/view/abstract/id/14193
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author ERTAN TUFEKCIOGLU
author_facet ERTAN TUFEKCIOGLU
author_sort ERTAN TUFEKCIOGLU
collection DOAJ
description Background: We aimed to compare and examine the effect of aquatic interventions, Watsu® vs Immersion, on the autonomic nervous system and the range of motion in children with cerebral palsy, due to common belief that use of Watsu is beneficial for the special needs. Material and methods: Twenty-three children (age 7.5±2.8) were randomized to receive Watsu® therapy and Immersion interventions in the cross-over, age-stratified study. Each therapy session lasted 30 minutes twice a week for a total of 10 weeks in two non-consecutive periods. Short-term heart rate variability parameters by using a Polar H7 heart rate sensor with a signal processing software and the passive range of motion by using a universal goniometer was measured at baseline and post-treatment. Results: Watsu® therapy significantly improved the heart rate variability parameter (pNN50, t = 2.312, p = 0.031) and lower flexibility (t = 6.012, p = 0.000) in comparison to immersion. Conclusions: In comparison to immersion, Watsu® therapy was shown to be safe and effective for the autonomic modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy. Therefore, it is recommended as a complementary tool for physical therapy on land.
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spelling doaj.art-e7b9952170364ca7b1df0a85cec389932022-12-21T21:30:49ZengAkademia Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu w GdanskuBaltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity2080-99992020-12-01124213210.29359/BJHPA.12.4.03The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsyERTAN TUFEKCIOGLU0Physical Education Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals College of SciencesBackground: We aimed to compare and examine the effect of aquatic interventions, Watsu® vs Immersion, on the autonomic nervous system and the range of motion in children with cerebral palsy, due to common belief that use of Watsu is beneficial for the special needs. Material and methods: Twenty-three children (age 7.5±2.8) were randomized to receive Watsu® therapy and Immersion interventions in the cross-over, age-stratified study. Each therapy session lasted 30 minutes twice a week for a total of 10 weeks in two non-consecutive periods. Short-term heart rate variability parameters by using a Polar H7 heart rate sensor with a signal processing software and the passive range of motion by using a universal goniometer was measured at baseline and post-treatment. Results: Watsu® therapy significantly improved the heart rate variability parameter (pNN50, t = 2.312, p = 0.031) and lower flexibility (t = 6.012, p = 0.000) in comparison to immersion. Conclusions: In comparison to immersion, Watsu® therapy was shown to be safe and effective for the autonomic modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy. Therefore, it is recommended as a complementary tool for physical therapy on land.http://bjhpa.journalstube.com/view/abstract/id/14193cerebral palsyheart rate variabilityflexibilitywatsu
spellingShingle ERTAN TUFEKCIOGLU
The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy
Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity
cerebral palsy
heart rate variability
flexibility
watsu
title The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy
title_full The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy
title_fullStr The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy
title_full_unstemmed The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy
title_short The effects of Watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy
title_sort effects of watsu therapy on autonomic cardiovascular modulation and flexibility of children with cerebral palsy
topic cerebral palsy
heart rate variability
flexibility
watsu
url http://bjhpa.journalstube.com/view/abstract/id/14193
work_keys_str_mv AT ertantufekcioglu theeffectsofwatsutherapyonautonomiccardiovascularmodulationandflexibilityofchildrenwithcerebralpalsy
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