August 23, 2016 - For patients in rehabilitation after a stroke, walking on an underwater treadmill produces better measures of exercise performance compared to conventional treadmill walking, reports a study in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, the official journal of the Association of Academic Physiatrists. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer.
"Aquatic treadmill exercise may be a useful option for early intensive aerobic exercise after subacute stroke, as it may both improve their aerobic capacity and maximize functional recovery," according to the preliminary research by Bo Ryun Kim, MD, PhD, and colleagues of Jeju National University Hospital, Korea.
Walking in Water May Have Advantages for Post-Stroke Rehab
The study included 21 patients recovering after a stroke--average time since their stroke was about two months. All patients had some walking ability, but with impaired leg movement on the side affected by the stroke.
The patients underwent two exercise tests: one on a conventional land treadmill and one on an aquatic treadmill, submerged in water up to their chests. In both tests, walking speed and slope were gradually increased until the patients felt they couldn't go any further. Measures of exercise capacity were compared between the two tests. Two key measures were higher on the aquatic treadmill test: maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), reflecting heart and lung function during exercise; and metabolic equivalents (METs), reflecting energy use. Heart rate was not significantly different, but was significantly related to oxygen consumption on both tests.
Even though their exercise performance was higher on the water treadmill, patients felt they weren't working as hard as on the land treadmill, based on a measure called rating of perceived exertion. "This improved performance may reflect the fact that the aquatic treadmill exercise involved the fluid resistance of the water environment," Dr. Kim and colleagues write.
Regaining walking ability is a major challenge after a stroke. Because it's so difficult to walk, patients may be physically inactive, further their reducing exercise capacity. This suggests that early intensive aerobic exercise training might be beneficial in the early weeks after stroke. Treadmill walking is commonly recommended, but may be difficult or impossible because of decreased muscle power.
"The fact that the aquatic treadmill efficiently provides aerobic exercise without requiring full weight bearing means that it may be highly suitable for rehabilitation after stroke," according to the authors. The buoyancy provided by water reduces musculoskeletal impact while allowing combined aerobic and resistance exercise. Exercising in water also has the psychological benefit of freedom from the fear of falling.
The preliminary study is the first to explore the benefits of aquatic treadmill exercise for stroke patients. Further research will be needed to determine whether this approach leads to lasting improvements in exercise capacity and walking ability, several months after the stroke.
If so, then rehabilitation approaches including underwater treadmill exercise may help to overcome the low aerobic capacity seen in stroke survivors--which can contribute to decreased social activity and poor quality of life. Dr. Kim and colleagues conclude, "Aquatic treadmill exercise may not only improve baseline functional status and functional recovery during the subacute period, it may also enhance social participation and quality of life during the chronic stroke period."
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Article "Peak Cardiorespiratory Responses of Patients with Subacute Stroke During Land and Aquatic Treadmill Exercise."(doi; 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000603)
About AJPM&R
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation focuses on the practice, research and educational aspects of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Monthly issues keep physiatrists up-to-date on the optimal functional restoration of patients with disabilities, physical treatment of neuromuscular impairments, the development of new rehabilitative technologies, and the use of electrodiagnostic studies. The Journal publishes cutting-edge basic and clinical research, clinical case reports and in-depth topical reviews of interest to rehabilitation professionals.
About the Association of Academic Physiatrists
The AAP was founded in 1967 to serve as the national organization of physiatrists who are affiliated with medical schools. The AAP is a member organization of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The objectives of the Association are to promote the advancement of teaching and research in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation within an academic environment. The organization acts as a sounding board and forum for the exchange of ideas and information relative to all phases of the art and science of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
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American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation