Immediate Effects of Aquatic Therapy on Balance in Older Adults with Upper Limb Dysfunction: An Exploratory Study

Background: Aquatic physiotherapy has been shown to be effective in developing balance, strength, and functional reach over time. When dealing with immediate effects, the literature has concentrated more on the body’s physiological response to the physical and mechanical properties of water during passive immersion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single 45-min active aquatic physiotherapy session on standing balance and strength, and its relationship with functional reach in persons 55 years and older with upper limb dysfunction. Methods: The intervention group (n = 12) was assessed before and after a single aquatic physiotherapy session, while the control group (n = 10) was evaluated before and after 45 min of sitting rest. Functional assessment was made using the visual analogue pain scale (points), step test (repetitions), functional reach test (cm), and global balance-standing test on a force platform (% time). A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was applied (p < 0.05). Results: The intervention group showed non-significant improvements between measurement before and after the intervention: Pain: 6.2 ± 1.9 vs. 5.2 ± 2.3 cm, steps: 7.0 ± 2.0 vs. 7.4 ± 1.8 repetitions, reach: 9.1 ± 2.8 vs. 10.4 ± 3.8 cm, and balance: 61.7 ± 5.9 vs. 71.3 ± 18.2% time in balance on the platform. The control group showed fewer changes but had better baseline values. A comparison between groups with time showed no significant differences in these changes. Conclusions: No significant immediate effects were found for one session of aquatic physiotherapy applied to patients older than 55 years with upper limb dysfunction.

133 Factor’s Contrubuting for Non-Compliance Physiotherapy Sesions among Geriatric Patient at Physiotherapy Fall Intervention Program

Introduction Current world is going through an increase in ageing population with one in eight people in the world are aged 60 or over. By 2025, 15 % of Malaysia population will be aged above 60 years old. Physiotherapy playing a major role in facilitates healthy ageing process. However, compliance to physiotherapy session is still low among geriatric population. A defaulter was defined as a patient who presented for less than 6 visits during the whole period. Method A Retrospective study will calling patient after patient did not turn up the physiotherapy appointment and interview was done on appointment with the doctor together. This study was conducted at Geriatric Clinic, Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Physiotherapy session records were tracked to get there number of defaulters in Physiotherapy Geriatric clinic during 2017 & 2018. Result Reasons for defaulting the therapy session was gained via phone call interview and during Geriatrician appointment. Total of 223 samples were tracked and interviewed in this study. The result reveals 73% of the patients defaulted in 2017 and 51% in 2018 respectively. Lack of facilities comprises 22% of factors for non-compliance. Meanwhile other factors such as human resource and functional capabilities contribute 14% and 19% respectively for patient’s non-compliance. Conclusion As conclusion, clinic need to take steps such as call to remind their appointment and provide proper home education to increase patient’s compliance. Together with in poor compliance which was successfully brought down by taking into consideration patient factors. This may be the best compromise until which time where special parking lots, improved transportation services or adequate skilled facilities in the periphery are made available to the patients.