Authors (including presenting author) :
Lee WY, Lam YC, Chan LC, Law YT
Affiliation :
Physiotherapy Department, Pok Oi Hospital
Introduction :
Hydrotherapy is a very unique and effective treatment intervention in physiotherapy. Incorporation of modern technology and physiotherapist’ advanced skills into water unique properties during hydrotherapy would further enhance the treatment effect. Hydrotherapy pool of Physiotherapy Department of Pok Oi Hospital was opened in 2013. The exercise pool was made of stainless steel with modern technology. Modern technology (e.g. underwater treadmill, aquabike, jet steam etc.) had improved the in-built equipment and facilities in the pool. The first in-built underwater treadmill in Hospital Authority and aquabike (underwater bicycle) enhanced rehabilitation results of patients with hydrotherapy. Other facilities such as high speed water jet steam can further challenge the training of patients. Physiotherapists equipped with advanced skills of hydrotherapy through overseas and local training programs can further improve treatment outcomes of patients. The advanced skills of hydrotherapy included aquatic manual therapy techniques, special stretching techniques such as Aquastretch, and unique aquatic exercises prescription would enhance the rehabilitation of patients.
Objectives :
To evaluate the clinical outcomes of tailor-made hydrotherapy program incorporating modern technology and advanced skills of physiotherapists
Methodology :
The patients in outpatient physiotherapy department received mostly in mode of hydrotherapy classes. Suitable cases in Pok Oi Hospital were screened and arranged individual tailor-made hydrotherapy sessions since October 2016. Patients were first assessed and screened by physiotherapist of outpatient department. Subjective overall improvement by hydrotherapy was charted by Numeric Global Rating of Change Scale (NGRCS) and patient satisfaction was charted by 1 (most unsatisfied) to 5 (most satisfied).
Result & Outcome :
There were 11847 patients received hydrotherapy in Pok Oi Hospital from October 2016 to October 2018. A total of 70 patients were recruited. 30 were male and 40 were female. The average age was 47. The conditions of patients were: knee (37%), back (16%), ankle (16%), shoulder (16 %), hip (7%), neck (4%) and miscellaneous (9%). The average number of hydrotherapy treatment sessions that patients received was 5.8 sessions. The overall subjective improvement was 6.7 out of 10 as charted by NGRCS. The level of patient’s satisfaction was 4.8 out of 5. All patients received tailor-made hydrotherapy exercises. Different manual techniques and exercises were prescribed to patients by physiotherapists during hydrotherapy. 16% of all patients received manual therapy. 13% of all patients received Aquastretch. 14% of patients had received gait training with underwater treadmill. 20% of patients had received underwater cycling exercise. Discussion: Modern technology which helps to install the underwater treadmill and underwater bicycle, together with the special properties of water including buoyancy, viscosity, hydrostatic pressure and thermal effect will provide an environment to relieve the loading of joints for exercises. Manual skills of physiotherapists can facilitate recovery of patients with the special properties of water. Therefore, individual tailor-made hydrotherapy training would be beneficial to patients with different needs. Good patient screening would give good triage to patients to receive hydrotherapy classes or tailor-made individual hydrotherapy program. However, limited manpower and limited spaces were important factors to consider running individual hydrotherapy program. Conclusion: Positive feedbacks were received from patients having hydrotherapy training incorporating with modern technology and advanced physiotherapist skills. Manpower, space allocation and triage of patients are important factors to be considered.
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