Effect of aquatic versus land based exercise programs on physical performance in severely burned patients: a randomized controlled trial.
Ibrahim M Zoheiry, Haidy N Ashem, Hamada Ahmed Hamada Ahmed and 1 others
PMID 29643605WHAT IT FOUND
Aquatic exercise improved physical performance and oxygen uptake more than land-based exercise in men with severe burns.
Both groups improved, but the water group showed significantly greater gains in strength, endurance, and walking speed after 12 weeks.
Key findings
01After 12 weeks, the aquatic exercise group showed significantly greater improvements in VO2 max, chair stand, walking speed, and stair climbing compared to the land-based group.
02Both groups improved significantly in all measured physical performance outcomes from baseline to post-treatment.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study included only male participants, so results may not generalize to women. Participants had to be able to walk independently without devices, excluding those with more severe functional impairments. There was no follow-up period to assess whether the gains were maintained after the 12-week program ended. The study did not measure psychological outcomes or quality of life, which are significant concerns in burn rehabilitation. Blinding was single-blind; participants knew which group they were in, which could influence effort or reporting.
Declared interests
The study was not funded, and the authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume aquatic exercise is superior for all burn patients. The participants were relatively young, male, and already able to walk independently. Patients with open wounds, severe contractures, or inability to enter a pool safely were excluded, so this benefit may not apply to more acute or severely impaired individuals.