Efeitos da hidroterapia no equilíbrio e capacidade funcional de idosos não institucionalizados.

Abstract

It is a dissertation consists of a paper to be submitted to the journal Physical Therapy and Research, entitled "Prevention of falls and effects of hydrotherapy in balance and functional capacity of independent elderly", with the following descriptors: hydrotherapy, elderly, balance and functional capacity. The study included 24 elderly of the city of Anapolis Goias, evaluated and subsequently underwent 24 sessions of hydrotherapy using the Halliwick Method. They were used as evaluation tools the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go and walk test 6 'applied before and after the sessions. From the data analysis, it was found that there was a statistically significant increase in dynamic balance and improved functional capacity of the research subjects. It was evident the lack of national and international studies involving the Halliwick method in the balance of elderly and did not find any article that relates the method with the functional capacity of the elderly. For this reason and also for checking the effectiveness of other treatment methods, it is necessary more research on the subject, after the method appears to be quite effective in other areas studied and other populations studied.