Evaluation of quality of life in individuals with chronic stroke who underwent aquatic exercises: A case series

Article type: Case Report

Authors: Carrasco, Aline Cristina^{a; b} | Silva, Mariana Felipe^b | Dela Bela, Laís Faganello^{b; c} | Paixão, Luana^b | Pelegrinelli, Alexandre Roberto Marcondes^d | Dias, Josilainne Marcelino^{b; e} | Kawano, Marcio Massao^f | Facci, Ligia Maria^b | Cardoso, Jefferson Rosa^{b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste, Guarapuava, PR, Brazil | [b] Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil | [c] Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, PR, Brazil | [d] Laboratory of Applied Biomechanics, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, PR, Brazil | [e] Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil | [f] Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia, Barreiras, BA, Brazil

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Jefferson Rosa Cardoso, PT, PhD, Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group and Aquatic Physical Therapy Center “Prof. Paulo A. Seibert”, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, PR, Brazil. Av. Robert Kock, 60. 86038-440 - Londrina –PR, Brazil. Tel.: +55 43 3371 2728; E-mail: jeffcar@uel.br.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Aquatic exercises are among the treatments available to improve the quality of life after stroke. OBJECTIVES:To investigate changes in the quality of life after 8-week of aquatic exercises in post-stroke individuals. METHODS:A case series study was designed, including four male participants. Exclusive aquatic exercise was performed for 8-week, 50 minutes per session, 2×/week. Their quality of life was evaluated before and after the intervention using the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS). RESULTS:Participant 1 improved in the mobility domain, achieving a Clinically Important Difference (CID). Participant 2 improved in the strength and mobility domain, achieving CID; his stroke recovery was 6%, and it reached 50% post-intervention. Participant 3 improved in the mobility domain, achieving a CID and a Minimal Detectable Change (MDC); his stroke recovery increased from 45 to 60% post-intervention. Participant 4 improved the strength, mobility, and activities of daily living domains, achieving a CID and a MDC, but his stroke recovery remained unchanged at 80%. CONCLUSIONS:All participants achieved a CID in the mobility domain; thus, the aquatic exercise intervention was considered meaningful. Moreover, the SIS is able to evaluate aspects of the recovery process regarding health-related quality of life after stroke, as demonstrated by the results of the overall recovery after aquatic exercises.

Keywords: Case report, stroke, aquatic exercises, hydrotherapy, quality of life

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-210008

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 563-570, 2021