The benefits of aquatic therapy as determined by a Pairwise Thematic Content Analysis of the peer-reviewed journals in therapeutic recreation

Authors

  • Kari Kensinger, PhD, CTRS
  • Sabrina Bates, BS
  • Sarah Breuer, BS
  • Erin Johnson, BS
  • Kylie Rhode, BS
  • Deanne Webber, BS

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2017.0143

Keywords:

aquatic therapy, recreation therapy, pain, arthritis, autism, multiple sclerosis, quality of life

Abstract

Aquatic therapy is an intervention commonly used by recreational therapists. This study used a pairwise content analysis of the American Journal of Recreation Therapy, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association's Annual in Therapeutic Recreation, and the Therapeutic Recreation Journal from 2003-2014 in order to determine the benefits of aquatic therapy. Many articles reviewed used a repeated measure analysis, or pre- and post-test evaluation to measure physiological benefits, leisure satisfaction, quality of life, self-efficacy, and pain. The three most common populations studied include: arthritis, autism spectrum disorder, and multiple sclerosis.

Author Biographies

Kari Kensinger, PhD, CTRS

Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Health Science Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

 

Sabrina Bates, BS

Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Health Science Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Sarah Breuer, BS

Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Health Science Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Erin Johnson, BS

Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Health Science Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Kylie Rhode, BS

Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Health Science Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Deanne Webber, BS

Department of Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Health Science Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin

References

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Published

03/05/2018

How to Cite

Kensinger, PhD, CTRS, K., Bates, BS, S., Breuer, BS, S., Johnson, BS, E., Rhode, BS, K., & Webber, BS, D. (2018). The benefits of aquatic therapy as determined by a Pairwise Thematic Content Analysis of the peer-reviewed journals in therapeutic recreation. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 16(4), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2017.0143

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2017): Fall

Section

Articles

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