Effects of a recreation therapy aquatics intervention: A case study on an older adult with uncontrolled orthostatic hypotension

Authors

  • John Mikula, CTRS, CSCS, HFS
  • Paul Smith, CTRS, HFS
  • John Meuleman, MD
  • Charles E. Levy, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2010.0019

Keywords:

orthostatic hypotension, recreation therapy, aquatic therapy, physical rehabilitation, quality of life

Abstract

Uncontrolled orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a devastating disorder that affects activity and participation in daily life. The authors report the benefits of a recreation therapy aquatics intervention on a 74-year-old man with longstanding OH refractory to both pharmacological treatment and conventional land-based physical rehabilitation. Through regular participation in aquatic therapy twice a week for 18 months, this individual progressed from being confined to bed to regaining the ability to ambulate short distances on land without the aid of an assistive device and to resume some of his premorbid leisure interests. The patient reports a significant improvement in his quality of life. Aquatic therapy should be considered for individuals with OH refractory to standard medical and rehabilitation interventions.

Author Biographies

John Mikula, CTRS, CSCS, HFS

North Florida South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida.

Paul Smith, CTRS, HFS

North Florida South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida.

John Meuleman, MD

Clinical Director of the Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, North Florida South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida.

Charles E. Levy, MD

Chief of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, and Associate Director of the Rehabilitation Outcomes Research Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida.

References

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Orthostatic hypotension information page. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/orthostatic_hypotension/orthostatic_hypotension.htm. Accessed June 9, 2010.

Illman K, Stiller K, Williams M: The prevalence of orthostatic hypotension during physiotherapy treatment in patients with an acute spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord. 2000; 38(12): 741-747.

Krassioukov A, Warburton A, Teasell R, et al.: A systematic review of the management of orthostatic hypotension after spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehab. 2009; 90(5): 876-885.

Jaeger PH, Fawer R, Brunner HR, et al.: Immersion and venous occlusion plethysmography in patients with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension. Clin Exp Hypertens. 1981; 3(5): 919-927.

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Published

07/01/2010

How to Cite

Mikula, CTRS, CSCS, HFS, J., Smith, CTRS, HFS, P., Meuleman, MD, J., & Levy, MD, C. E. (2010). Effects of a recreation therapy aquatics intervention: A case study on an older adult with uncontrolled orthostatic hypotension. American Journal of Recreation Therapy, 9(3), 13–16. https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2010.0019

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 3 (2010): Summer

Section

Case Studies

License

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