Comparison of the Effect of Four and Eight Weeks of Water Exercises (Hydrotherapy) on Relief of Pain and Muscle Spasm in Children Under Age of 12 with Spinal Cord Injury in Bushehr City

Spinal injury is a progressive neurological disorder. due to the sensory-physical, perceptualcognitive and psycho-social disabilities it affects many aspects of working performance. Over 90 percent of children patients experience fatigue. Researchs has shown that water exercise (hydrotherapy) is one of the most effective ways to reduce fatigue, pain and muscle spasms, especially in women. So far, a comprehensivestudy on the effects of hydrotherapy in children under 12 years old with spinal injury has not been conducted. Materials and Methods :This study was performed in Bushehr aimed to investigate the effects of four and eight weeks of water exercises (Hydrotherapy) on pain in children under 12 with spinal cord injury. At present study 40 patient children were divided into two groups, the first group did water exercises for 4 weeks and second group did water exercises for 8 weeks. All children were trained in the water twice a day and each time for an hour under the supervision of a physiotherapist. The results were analyzed using SPSS18 software and tests consisting descriptive statistics, T-test, covariance analysis, and comparison of paired moderated averages. Results: Statistical analyzes showed that patients who had regular water exercise for 8 weeks had a significant effect on pain and muscle spasm relief comparing to 4 weeks’ exercise. They also tended to spend more time in water doing exercises without revealing pain or spasms. Conclusion: The issue of improving movement in spinal injuries patients is very essential. Because this disease which was explained above significantly reduces movement and range of motion in the joints due to thepain, spasticity and muscle weakness. By using water exercise individuals tended to stay much longer in the water without expressing pain and spasms.