A Study to Compare the Effect of Water Walking Performed at Different Water Depths on Balance in Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy: An Comparative Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: CP is a neurological non-progressive static disorder of the brain that results from brain insult or injury during any of the antenatal, perinatal and postnatal stages. Spastic diplegia (SD) is a motor impairment in the upper extremities as well as the lower extremities, even though the upper extremities less affected than the lower one. Aquatic therapy includes buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and hydrodynamic force which may allow children with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy to exercise in the water with more freedom than on land. Water viscosity also offers resistance, which is often used in aqua therapy programs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of water walking performed at different depths (i.e. Nipple Level & ASIS Level) on balance in Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 30 Subjects were included in study according to selection criteria. They were divided into 2 groups, 15 Subjects in each group, in group A, water walking performed at water depth at nipple level and in group B, water walking performed at water depth at ASIS level. The balance was assessed with pediatric balance scale. Outcome Measures were taken on day 1 and after 6 weeks.

RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Balance improves in both groups, but in group A improvement is significant more than in group B. That means, water walking performed at water depth at nipple level showed significantly more improvement in balance than water walking performed at water depth at ASIS level.