Aquatic Therapy Special Interest Group (all prof)

Download here - https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1043&context=muscotd-elotd

Developing Educational Resources for Clinicians and Caregivers to Increase Use of Aquatic-Based Therapy in Occupational Therapy

Authors

Katherine Childrey, Medical University of South CarolinaFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

8-2024

Faculty Mentor

Amanda K. Giles

Abstract

Background: Aquatic therapy (AT) is a specialized intervention using the medium of water with therapeutic intent toward rehabilitation of specific physical and functional goals (Güeita-Rodríguez et al., 2019). AT benefits include increased joint mobility and muscle flexibility, improved head and neck control, increased attention and eye contact, improved tolerance of physical contact, and sensorimotor integration in the pediatric population (Kucher et al., 2015; Vonder Hulls et al., 2006). Physical therapists and occupational therapists (PT, OT) integrate AT into treatment plans supplemental to traditional practice. Occupational therapists facilitate performance patterns and directly influence children’s occupations of play, leisure, and social participation through integration of meaningful activities in an aquatic environment to ultimately promote functional outcomes. An occupational therapy (OT) doctoral capstone needs assessment identified gaps in knowledge of AT and opportunities for the development of evidenced-based educational resources. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework guided the creation of these educational resources to promote client participation in AT programs as a supplement to traditional OT services at an outpatient pediatric therapy clinic. Aim: The purpose of this OT doctoral capstone project was to create educational resources to increase attention, awareness and accessibility of AT among clinicians and caregivers. Methods: Participants of a 10-week aquatic therapy program included 8 pediatric clinicians and 25 clients. Two anonymous REDCap surveys were administered to investigate perceptions, experiences, and knowledge about AT following implementation of project deliverables. Six clinicians and six caregivers completed responses to their respective survey. Results: Clinicians reported primary benefits of AT include sensory processing (100%, n=6), physical/motor development (100%, n=6), and water safety (100%, n=6) skills while caregivers reported benefits in sensory processing (100%, n=6), water safety (100%, n=6), and functional independence/life skills (100%, n=6). All clinicians and caregivers strongly agreed or agreed the resources provided increased their knowledge and understanding of AT. Clinicians strongly agreed or agreed (100%, n=6) they are comfortable explaining the benefits of AT to patient caregivers as a result of this project. Clinicians also reported these educational resources will be helpful to give to caregivers upon referral to AT in the future (100%, n=6). All caregivers strongly agreed (100%, n=6) AT benefits their child in addition to traditional therapy and reported interest in additional AT programs for their child. Conclusion: Evidence-based AT resources were a beneficial addition to the AT clinician training and clinic resource library. Clinicians feel confident referring patients for supplemental AT and have increased knowledge on AT benefits, hydrodynamic properties of water, aquatic sensory integration, equipment use, and treatment ideas. Educational handouts shared with caregivers facilitated understanding of the unique benefits AT provides to children with diverse needs in addition to land-based pediatric therapy.

References

Güeita-Rodríguez, J., Florencio, L. L., Arias-Buría, J. L., Lambeck, J., Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., & Palacios-Ceña, D. (2019). Content comparison of aquatic therapy outcome measures for children with neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental disorders using the international classification of functioning, disability, and health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(21), 4263. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16214263

Kucher, G., Moore, K., Rodia, R., & Szczech Moser, C. (2015). Aquatic therapy for children: Edited by christy szczech moser, PhD, OTR, FAOTA. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools & Early Intervention, 8(4), 277-291. https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2015.1113104

Vonder Hulls, D. S., Walker, L. K., & Powell, J. M. (2006). Clinicians' perceptions of the benefits of aquatic therapy for young children with autism: A preliminary study. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 26(1-2), 13-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/J006v26n01_03

Recommended Citation

Childrey, Katherine, "Developing Educational Resources for Clinicians and Caregivers to Increase Use of Aquatic-Based Therapy in Occupational Therapy" (2024). Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctorate - Doctoral Capstone Symposium. 43.https://medica-musc.researchcommons.org/muscotd-elotd/43

Download