The effectiveness of aquatic therapy on motor and social skill as well as executive function in children with neurodevelopmental disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sep 11, 2023

Experts: Ardalan Shariat,Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi,Isis Kelly Dos Santos,Albert Thomas Anastasio,Homa Rafiee Milajerdi,Gholamreza Hassanzadeh,Elahe Nouri

To summarize the evidence on the efficacy of aquatic therapy on motor and social skill as well as executive function compared to land-based exercises in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
The following six databases were searched: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Google scholar (advance), and Web of Science from 1990 to June 2022.
The search included only clinical trials. Two reviewers independently assessed the full text and conducted manuscript selection, data extraction, and quality assessment.
Using standardized forms, data were extracted and all points of disagreement were discussed between authors.
Data synthesis was applied to summarize information from the included trials. The quantitative analysis incorporated fixed-effect models. Of the 150 studies identified in the initial search, 16 trials (248 children) met the eligibility criteria. Aquatic therapy improved factors related to the Humphries’ Assessment of Aquatic Readiness (HAAR) checklist such as mental adjustment (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-1.19; I = 10%) compared with land-based exercises (control), water environment (SMD, 0.99; 95% CI,0.43 – 1.54; I = 83%), Rotation (SMD, 0.63; 95% CI,0.14-1.12; I = 0%), balance and control (SMD, 2.09; 95% CI,1.47-2.72; I = 36%) and independent movement (e.g., walking, moving upper body, standing, transferring) in water (SMD, 0.87; 95% CI,0.37-1.38; I = 0%) compared with the control group in the 4 trails. The HAAR tool is based on the Halliwik method and aims to assess the appropriateness for an individual with disability to engage in aquatic therapy. The study protocol was also registered with PROSPERO number (CRD42022341898).
Aquatic therapy demonstrated a more robust positive effect on factors related to the HAAR checklist than land-based exercises. Further research is needed to further elucidate the clinical utility of aquatic therapy for children with neurodevelopmental disorder at long-term follow up.

Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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ABOUT THE EXPERTS

Ardalan Shariat,Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi,Isis Kelly Dos Santos,Albert Thomas Anastasio,Homa Rafiee Milajerdi,Gholamreza Hassanzadeh,Elahe Nouri

Ardalan Shariat

Assistant Professor, Department of digital health, school of medicine, Tehran university of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Mahboubeh Ghayour Najafabadi

Assistant Professor, Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: ghayournaj@gmail.com.

Isis Kelly Dos Santos

PhD., Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Physical Education, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoro, Brazil.

Albert Thomas Anastasio

Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.

Homa Rafiee Milajerdi

PhD., Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, T2N1N4, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Gholamreza Hassanzadeh

Assistant Professor, Department of digital health, school of medicine, Tehran university of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran; Professor, Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Elahe Nouri

MSc, Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. The name(s) of the institution(s), section(s), division(s), and department(s) where the study was performed:, Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.