The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the influence that a hydrokinetic therapy program in shallow water has on postural balance of institutionalized elderly women. In this study 8 institutionalized elderly, with a mean age of 62.95 ± 2.87 years participated. The postural balance was evaluated through the force platform. 3 attempts in each sensory organization test (SOT) previously and subsequently the intervention of hydrokinetic therapy in shallow water were made. The variables analyzed were: displacement amplitude of the pressure center (COP) in the anteroposterior, mediolateral direction and displacement speed of the COP. An improvement in postural control after the intervention was observed, where a decrease on the displacement of the pressure center happened, especially in the anteroposterior direction. For the group of institutionalized elderly participants in this study, hydrokinetic therapy performed in shallow water was able to improve postural balance.
Postural balance; Hydrotherapy; Aged; Homes for the Aged
