Investigation of the effectiveness of water based therapy on children with Cerebral Palsy (CP)

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was:

To examine the effectiveness of the Halliwick concept intervention in water approach for people with motor deficiency and, more specifically, for children with diagnosed cerebral palsy.

In a second phase, to compare the contribution of water intervention to the child's motor development against just Bobath physiotherapeutic intervention, in terms of the milestones of gross motor skills of the children over time.

The aim of the research is to determine the contribution of the Halliwick Concept- Hydrotherapeutic Intervention approach in the psychomotor development in children with cerebral palsy and to explore its contribution to a comprehensive therapeutic approach for these children. It is a fact that, in recent years, parallel therapeutic approaches have gained ground, which, in combination with the physiotherapeutic treatment, contributes to the enhancement of therapeutic effects in early and follow-up intervention for children with cerebral palsy.

The study resulted from the fact that there is not such a large-scale study in Greece. Also, there are few published studies in the world, trying to evaluate the therapeutic benefit of the Halliwick Concept as an hydro-therapeutic approach.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy
• Not have some type of surgery or botulinum toxin infusion in the last year.
• The children with cognitive limitations were selected, in order to be able to execute elementary commands.
• Attending treatment program by the same therapist, either on water, or on land.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with autism
• Children who had some scheduled surgery or botulinum toxin injection.
• Children with severe vision problems
• Children who could not follow the verbal instructions or reproduce a test reproduction.
• Children who were absent from the treatment program either in the water or on land for over a week