| Sumario: | Background and purpose. This case series describes the use of aquatic physical therapy for adults with severeprofound developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study was to expand on the current literature to determine the effectiveness of aquatic physical therapy for such population through the assessment of passive range of motion (PROM), muscle tone, volition, function, burden for care, and pain. Case description. Thirteen individuals participated in the study (5 females and 8 males). The median age was 37 years and 10 months. All carried a clinical diagnosis of spastic quadriplegia. None of the participants were able to walk independently, and all used a wheelchair for their primary means of functional mobility. Six were able to ambulate with assistance. The degree of mental involvement was severe in 7 and profound in 6. Each participant participated in 2 thirty-minute aquatic physical therapy sessions per week for 8 weeks. Interventions used included the Bad Ragaz Ring Method, upper extremity and lower extremity stretching/PROM, and functional task training. All variables were measured at baseline (1 week prior to the intervention phase), once a week during the 8-week intervention phase, and at weeks 1, 3 and 5 during the follow-up period. Outcomes. PROM, volition, muscle tone, and caregiver evaluation scores (burden of care) showed significant improvement from week 1 to week 8. During the follow-up period all of the parameters maintained their improvements from the intervention phase. Functional improvements varied based on each participant's ability to ambulate, stand or sit. Although the changes in pain parameters were not statistically significant, the MCID for pain can be observed through improved subjective reports of pain, improvements in functional tasks and improvements in caregiver evaluation scores. Discussion. Aquatic physical therapy is an effective intervention to improve PROM, volition, muscle tone, ease of care, and function for those with severe-profound developmental disabilities.
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