Effectiveness of hydrotherapy in neurorehabilitating treatment in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Documentary review. Efectividad de la hidroterapia en el tratamiento neurorehabilitador en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson. Revision documental

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by: bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity and postural instability. These symptoms are associated with non-motor disorders, neurobehavioral symptoms, and decreased quality of life. Among the rehabilitation treatments for PD is hydrotherapy, which offers specific mechanical advantages and, when performed in a heated pool, in addition to providing a warm environment, it is considered as one of the intervention alternatives that provides great benefits in the short term and long-term improvement of motor skills and increased functionality in people with PD. Objective: To carry out a documentary review on the benefits of hydrotherapy in PD and in the neurorehabilitation treatment of the disease. Method: An evidence search was carried out in databases such as Cochrane, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, between the years 2009 and 2020 with the following keywords: Parkinson's disease, hydrotherapy, neurological rehabilitation, neuroplasticity, and dopamine. Results: The studies showed that hydrotherapy as a neurorehabilitation treatment for PD is effective and also provides short and long-term effects in slowing down motor symptoms, increasing functionality and improving quality of life. Conclusion: Hydrotherapy through the effects caused by exercise produced improvements in the injured brain of the individual with PD through the formation of new neural networks and circuits, opening the way to new motor learning processes.