Under-water Therapeutic Exercise in a Temperature-adjusted Pool on Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

We performed electromyographic observations of M. deltoideus, M. biceps, M. triceps brachii, and extensor and flexor muscles of the right forearms of four healthy males (22.3 years old average) during various exercises of the right upper extremity on ground and in water. All electromyographic activities were examined through integral analysis. During exercise in water, the proximal part of the upper arm showed a significantly lower electric discharge than that for the exercises on the ground (p<0.05). Furthermore, forearm muscles showed significantly higher electrical discharge than that for the same exercise on the ground (p<0.05). We investigated the effects of therapeutic exercises in water in a temperature-adjusted pool on 15 female patients with rheumatoid arthritis (average 48.0 years old, Stage 2.3, and Class 1.9). The respiratory function, dorsal muscle power, power around a knee, grasping power, elasticity of the trunk and lower extremities, Lansbury index, and Japan Orthopedic Association's judgment score for rheumatoid arthritic knees were improved significantly (p<0.05) after an eight-week course of therapeutic exercises in water (two session a week). The result of a psychological test showed that their mental conditions were significantly improved (p<0.01) by therapeutic exercises in water. No aggravation of inflammatory reactions was observed in serological examinations before and after the exercise. We concluded that therapeutic exercise in water was an effective treatment method for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.