Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Hydrotherapy for the Treatment of Pain in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2011; Hindawi Publishing Corporation; Volume: 2012; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1155/2012/473963

1741-4288

Adelaida María Castro‐Sánchez, Guillermo A. Matarán-Peñarrocha, Inmaculada Carmen Lara‐Palomo, Manuel Saavedra-Hernández, Manuel Arroyo‐Morales, Carmen Moreno-Lorenzo,

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

Background . Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating neurological disease. Several studies have reported that complementary and alternative therapies can have positive effects against pain in these patients. Objective . The objective was to investigate the effectiveness of an Ai-Chi aquatic exercise program against pain and other symptoms in MS patients. Methods . In this randomized controlled trial, 73 MS patients were randomly assigned to an experimental or control group for a 20-week treatment program. The experimental group underwent 40 sessions of Ai-Chi exercise in swimming pool and the control group 40 sessions of abdominal breathing and contraction-relaxation exercises in therapy room. Outcome variables were pain, disability, spasm, depression, fatigue, and autonomy, which were assessed before the intervention and immediately and at 4 and 10 weeks after the last treatment session. Results . The experimental group showed a significant ( P < 0.028 ) and clinically relevant decrease in pain intensity versus baseline, with an immediate posttreatment reduction in median visual analogue scale scores of 50% that was maintained for up to 10 weeks. Significant improvements were also observed in spasm, fatigue, disability, and autonomy. Conclusion . According to these findings, an Ai-Chi aquatic exercise program improves pain, spasms, disability, fatigue, depression, and autonomy in MS patients.