REVIEW

Effects of aquatic exercises in patients after total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review

Julio Henric V. M. Centurião

Julio Henric V. M. Centurião

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil

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Karen Obara

Corresponding Author

Karen Obara

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil

Correspondence

Karen Obara, Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Av. Robert Kock, 60, Londrina, Brazil.

Email: karen.obara.tsuma@uel.br

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Carla T. Silva

Carla T. Silva

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil

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Luana Paixão

Luana Paixão

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil

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Mariana F. Silva

Mariana F. Silva

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil

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Josilainne M. Dias

Josilainne M. Dias

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil

Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil

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Jefferson R. Cardoso

Jefferson R. Cardoso

Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil

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First published: 21 August 2023

Abstract

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a surgical procedure that can alter physical function and quality of life.

Objectives

The aim was to verify the effects of aquatic exercises compared with exercises on land, control or other modalities, in patients undergoing THA on the primary outcomes: self-reported physical function, quality of life and pain; and secondary outcomes: muscle strength, functional capacity and gait.

Design

Systematic review that followed the PRISMA Statement and PROSPERO registered. The search was performed in the following databases: Web of Science, Embase, Medline, Cinahl, Lilacs, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library, Scopus, SciELO, and PEDro, from 1945 to 2022. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2) from the Cochrane Collaboration.

Results

Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included, with a total of 364 participants. In the selection process, two publications from the same study were found. The RoB2 assessment classified one RCT as “high risk of bias” and the others as “low risk of bias”. Therefore, the analysis of the results considered only studies with a low risk of bias. For the self-reported physical function outcome, evaluated by WOMAC, improvement was observed in favor of aquatic exercises, when started on the 14th postoperative day. Pain improved after 24th week postoperative, in favor of exercise (effect size between 0.2 and 0.4). Quality of life, verified only by one RCT, improved at each time point evaluated (effect size between 0.01 and 0.10). The functional capacity showed no difference between the groups. This was the first systematic review to assess the benefits of aquatic exercises specifically in THA and it was possible to infer that the exercises initiated after 14 days of postoperative are safer. The protocol should include proprioceptive, coordination, and resistance exercises. The session can last around 30 min and is held three times a week.

Conclusion

Decision making for treatment in the postoperative of THA may include aquatic exercises as a safe and efficacious alternative to improve self-reported physical function, pain, quality of life, and muscle resistance.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data sharing not applicable to this article as no datasets were generated or analyzed during the current study.

Volume29, Issue1

January 2024

e2043

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