Hydrotherapy: review on the effectiveness of its application in physiotherapy and occupational therapy
WCB Evidence Based Practice Group
Record ID 32006000273
English
Authors' objectives:
The purpose of this review is to investigate the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in musculoskeletal rehabilitation as applied by physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
Authors' recommendations:
1. The application of water to treat disease has been used throughout history. It is known that Hippocrates (460-375 BC) used hot and cold water in the treatment of multiple disease states. At present, hydrotherapy is applied to treat a myriad of diseases, including musculoskeletal problems. The majority of the evidence on the effectiveness of hydrotherapy to treat the described disease states and 'conditions' comes from small case series/reports and subsequent low level evidence (Level 4).
2. The higher level evidence that was reviewed does not suggest hydrotherapy is effective in treating osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia or pressure ulcers. There were two papers that did suggest that post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery patients may have better outcomes than those undertaking land based exercises alone.
3. The application of hydrotherapy is not always without risk. There are reports in the literature regarding legionella infections, burn, folliculitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis which were directly related to the hydrotherapy.
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.worksafebc.com/health_care_providers/related_information/evidence_based_medicine/default.asp
Year Published:
2004
URL for published report:
http://www.worksafebc.com/health_care_providers/Assets/PDF/hydrotherapy_application_physiotherapy.pdf
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Hydrotherapy
- Musculoskeletal Diseases
Contact
Organisation Name:
WorkSafeBC
Contact Address:
6591 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC, V7C 1C6 Canada. Tel: 604-231-8417; Fax: 604-279-7698
Contact Name:
ebpg@worksafebc.com
Contact Email:
ebpg@worksafebc.com
Copyright:
<p>WorkSafe BC</p>
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.