Effectiveness of aquatic physical therapy in the treatment of chronic pain lumbar: systematic review with metanalyses

Abstract

Defined as a persistent and disabling pain for more than three months, responsible for a high rate of absenteeism from work, damage of functional performance and high cost for treatment. The aquatic therapy has been used in the management of musculoskeletal problems including back pain. The aim of this study is to conduct a review independent of bias and focused only on aquatic exercises. The search strategy was undertaken in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS, SCIELO, WEB OF SCIENCE, SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane Library Controlled Trials Register, Cochrane Disease Group Trials Register, PEDro, and DARE. Descriptors were used: low back pain, spinal diseases, spinal cord, hydrotherapy, clinical trial, controlled clinical trial and meta-analysis. Only two studies met the inclusion criteria. Had high risk of bias because, the authors do not make clear how was done randomization. In the evaluation of intra-rater, we obtained a perfect agreement (K = 1). Three meta-analyzes were conducted for the outcomes pain and spinal mobility (flexion and extension). No differences were statistically significant, although in both studies were found relevant clinical improvements. It takes more randomized clinical trials of good quality about it.