Effects of water-based and land-based exercises on walking and balance functions of patients with hemiplegia

BACKGROUND: After the stroke, a number of changes occur in the neuromuscular system functions. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the water based exercise (WBE) program applied in combination with the land-based exercises (LBE) compared to LBE alone contributes to the stroke patients' motor functions, walking, balance functions and quality of life (QoL). METHODS: In total, 60 patients participated in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. WBE therapy (3/week) + LBE (2/week) combination was applied to the patients in the study group (n = 30) for six weeks. LBE was applied to the control group (n = 30) 5/week for six weeks. Patients were evaluated before and after the treatment. Functional independence measurement, Berg balance scale, timed up and go test, and short form (SF) -36 assessment questionnaire were performed. RESULTS: Posttreatment results showed significant improvements in all of the parameters (except SF - 36 pain parameter) in both groups. The improvement in the vitality parameter of SF-36 was higher in the study group (p < 0.05), and improvement in the BBS was significantly higher in the LBE group than the WBE group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Applying WBE together with the LBE (except SF-36 vitality sub-parameter) in patients with hemiplegia did not make any additional contribution to the application of LBE alone.