Hydrotherapy
In 2003, Foley et al. assessed the effects of a water-based and a land-based programme on functional performance in 105 patients with lower-limb OA. Subjects were included if they were aged 50 and above and have a radiological diagnosis of OA of the hip or knee, or both. They were excluded if they had received treatment or attended exercise classes in the past six weeks, had joint replacement surgery within the past 12 months, are awaiting surgery, or with cognitive impairment. The subjects were randomised into land-based, water-based or control group. Exercises were performed three times a week for six weeks. Each session lasted 30 minutes and included warm up, flexibility and resistance exercises. In the water-based group, subjects performed
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(2007) investigated the effect of Taichi and hydrotherapy on pain and function. Subjects aged 59–85 years, with a diagnosis of OA involving the hip or knee and had hip or knee pain were recruited. They were excluded if they participated in physical activity more than twice per week, unable to walk indoors independently, have severe cardiac or pulmonary diseases, incontinence, fear of water, uncontrolled epilepsy, referred pain to legs, lower-limb surgery in previous year, intra-articular injections within past three months or were participating in Taichi or hydrotherapy. A total of 152 subjects were randomised. The subjects in the hydrotherapy and Taichi groups attended one-hour classes, twice a week for 12 weeks. The taichi group performed a modification of the Sun style of Tai Chi programme while the hydrotherapy group performed a series of exercises that focused on lower-limb strengthening and balance. The WOMAC OA index and physical performance measures such as 50-foot walk test (50FWT), stair climb test (SCT), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) were assessed pre and post treatment. At followup, both groups showed significant improvements in WOMAC function when compared to control. However, significant improvements in all physical performance measures and WOMAC pain score were found only in the hydrotherapy group but not the Taichi
(2007) investigated the effect of Taichi and hydrotherapy on pain and function. Subjects aged 59–85 years, with a diagnosis of OA involving the hip or knee and had hip or knee pain were recruited. They were excluded if they participated in physical activity more than twice per week, unable to walk indoors independently, have severe cardiac or pulmonary diseases, incontinence, fear of water, uncontrolled epilepsy, referred pain to legs, lower-limb surgery in previous year, intra-articular injections within past three months or were participating in Taichi or hydrotherapy. A total of 152 subjects were randomised. The subjects in the hydrotherapy and Taichi groups attended one-hour classes, twice a week for 12 weeks. The taichi group performed a modification of the Sun style of Tai Chi programme while the hydrotherapy group performed a series of exercises that focused on lower-limb strengthening and balance. The WOMAC OA index and physical performance measures such as 50-foot walk test (50FWT), stair climb test (SCT), and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) were assessed pre and post treatment. At followup, both groups showed significant improvements in WOMAC function when compared to control. However, significant improvements in all physical performance measures and WOMAC pain score were found only in the hydrotherapy group but not the Taichi