COMPARATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF HYDROKINESIOTHERAPY AND CONVENTIONAL THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE IN HEMIPARESIS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
About the Authors
Timur Khodjaev – Rehabilitation Physician, Alfraganus University Hospital, Alfraganus University (Non-Governmental Higher Educational Organization), Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3821-0929
Dilshod Olimjonov – Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Alfraganus University (Non-Governmental Higher Educational Organization), Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4544-7377
Аbstract
Purpose: to compare the clinical effectiveness of hydrokinesiotherapy (HKT) and standard therapeutic exercise (TE) in patients with hemiparesis.
Methods: a prospective parallel-group randomized controlled trial enrolling 70 patients (35 per arm) over an 8-week intervention period. Outcome measures included muscle strength (MRC scale), spasticity (modified Ashworth scale), gait speed (10-meter walk test), functional independence (Barthel Index, FIM) and pain intensity (VAS).
Results: both interventions produced statistically significant within-group improvements (p<0.05), yet HKT was significantly superior to TE across all outcomes. MRC gain was +1.3 vs +0.6 points (p<0.001); Ashworth reduction −0.9 vs −0.4 (p=0.003); gait-speed improvement 34.1% vs 20.1% (p=0.002); Barthel gain +22.3 vs +13.4 (p=0.001); FIM gain +24.4 vs +12.8 (p<0.001); VAS reduction −2.7 vs −1.4 cm (p=0.012). No adverse events required discontinuation.
Conclusion: hydrokinesiotherapy is a highly effective and safe modality that outperforms conventional therapeutic exercise in hemiparesis rehabilitation and should be considered a priority intervention where appropriate aquatic facilities are available.
Keywords
Hydrotherapy, exercise therapy, paresis, stroke rehabilitation, muscle spasticity, recovery of function.
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