The Effect of Hydrotherapy on Motor Function Status, Pain, Kinesiophobia and Mood in Women with Knee Osteoarthritis

Background & Objectives: Although exercise is widely recommended as a first-line intervention for osteoarthritis (OA), the relative effectiveness of specific exercise modalities remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of hydrotherapy on motor function and selected psychological health indicators in women diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test–post-test control group design and included ۴۰ women with KOA (mean age = ۵۶.۵ years) who were selected through purposive sampling. Participants were assigned to either a hydrotherapy group (HG, n = ۲۰) or a control group (CG, n = ۲۰). The HG completed an eight-week hydrotherapy program based on the prescribed protocol, consisting of three ۶۰-minute sessions per week. Outcome measures included the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) physical function tests, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), and the ۳۲-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) in SPSS version ۲۶, with statistical significance set at p < ۰.۰۵. Results: Following the intervention, the HG demonstrated significant reductions in the durations of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (ES = ۰.۸۹), the ۴۰-Meter Walk (۴۰MW) test (ES = ۰.۹۱), and the Stair Climb Test (SCT) (ES = ۰.۳۳) (p < ۰.۰۵). Moreover, the HG showed marked reductions in pain (F = ۳۱۳.۰۷, p = ۰.۰۰۲, ES = ۰.۶۱), kinesiophobia (F = ۲۷۱.۴۰, p = ۰.۰۰۱, ES = ۰.۸۹), and mood disturbance (F = ۴۹.۶۶, p = ۰.۰۰۱, ES = ۰.۲۷). Conclusion: Hydrotherapy significantly improved motor performance and psychological well-being in women with KOA. These findings support the integration of aquatic exercise as an effective therapeutic and preventive strategy for managing KOA.

کلیدواژه ها:

Hydrotherapy ، Motor Function ، Knee Osteoarthritis ، Kinesiophobia