Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Lower-limb Motor Function and Activities of Daily Living for Patients with Stroke: A Meta-analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the effects of aquatic exercise on lower-limb motor function and activities of daily living for patients with stroke. Methods:The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about effects of aquatic therapeutic exercise on stroke patients were recalled from the databases of Cochrane Library, PEDro, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, OVID, EBSCO, CMCI, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was evaluated. The data were extracted, and analysed with RevMan 5.3. Results:A total of 23 RCTs that represented 861 participants were evaluated. Compared with the control group, aquatic exercise significantly improved the performance of Berg Balance Scale (WMD = 2.69, 95%CI 1.21 to 4.16,P < 0.001), Timed Up and Go Test (WMD = -1.56, 95%CI -3.07 to -0.05,P < 0.05), Functional Reach Test (WMD = 2.69, 95%CI 1.21 to 4.16,P < 0.001), sway velocity of center of pressure (SVCOP) (left/right) (WMD = -1.38, 95%CI -2.72 to -0.05,P < 0.05), SVCOP (anteroposterior) (WMD = -1.64, 95%CI -3.10 to 　-0.18,P < 0.05), walking speed (SMD = 0.33, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.58,P < 0.05), Two Minute Walk Test (WMD = 12.75, 95%CI 4.17 to 21.34,P < 0.01), Functional Ambulation Category (WMD = 0.94, 95%CI 0.67 to 1.20,P < 0.001), muscle strength of knee extensor (WMD = 4.30, 95%CI 1.53 to 7.07,P < 0.01), muscle strength of knee flexor (WMD = 4.80, 95%CI 0.29 to 9.32,P < 0.05), and Functional Independence Measurement (WMD = 6.12, 95%CI 3.98 to 8.27,P < 0.001), but not significantly in the score of modified Barthel Index (WMD = 2.92, 95%CI -6.74 to 12.58,P = 0.55). Conclusion:Aquatic exercise can improve balance, walking and muscle strength of lower extremities of stroke patients, but do not for activities of daily living.