A HYDROTHERAPY IN THE ELDERLY: BALANCE AND FUNCTIONALITY

Abstract

HYDROTHERAPY IS A PHYSIOTHERAPY TECHNIQUE THAT USES THE EFFECTS OF WATER AS A THERAPEUTIC
RESOURCE FOR THE PREVENTION AND REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS. IT BASICALLY CONSISTS OF THE PRACTICE OF
EXERCISES IN THE POOL THAT, AT APPROPRIATE TEMPERATURES, AIM TO PROMOTE FUNCTIONAL GAINS,
OFFERING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PATIENT. ITS THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO
BALANCE STIMULATION, REDUCING THE RISK OF FALLS, GAIT STABILITY, PROMOTING THE EFFICIENT FUNCTIONING
OF THE SOMATOSENSORY, VISUAL AND VESTIBULAR SYSTEMS. THE PRESENT STUDY AIMS TO EVALUATE THE
FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE AND BALANCE IN THE ELDERLY WHO PRACTICE HYDROTHERAPY, IN ADDITION TO
IDENTIFYING THEIR SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE.