Study on the effect of thalassotherapy on stroke patients

Strokes are one of the main causes of disability in industrialized countries. Affected patients need rehabilitation to improve their physical functioning, mental state and quality of life. However, there is currently no high quality evidence of the effectiveness of currently used interventions.

Water-based exercise can improve the physical condition and quality of life of people in the post-acute stroke phase. The aim of this study was to investigate whether aquatherapy in a seaside setting (thalassotherapy center) could play a role in this regard.

In a quasi-experimental, prospective study, a specific program involving 62 patients with mild to moderate disability was evaluated before and after two weeks of intensive treatment. The participants underwent thalassotherapy with daily aquatherapy in a seawater pool (32-34 °C) for 45 minutes, five times a week.

The measurement parameters used were the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go Test, the 10-meter walk test, the 6-minute walk test, pain assessment using a visual analog scale, the WHO Well-Being Index and the EuroQoL VAS and EuroQoL 5D.

There was a significant improvement in almost all measured parameters, with the exception of mobility EuroQoL. No significant change was observed in four dimensions of the EuroQoL 5D or in the 10-meter walk test.

Two weeks of intensive aquatherapy in combination with thalassotherapy can contribute to short-term pain relief and improve the functional performance and general well-being of stroke patients.