Evaluation Of Quality Of Life In Individuals With Chronic Stroke Who Underwent Aquatic Exercises: A Case Series

BACKGROUND: Aquatic exercises are among the treatments available to improve the quality of life after stroke.OBJECTIVES: To investigate changes in the quality of life after 8-week of aquatic exercises in post-stroke individuals.METHODS: A case series study was designed, including four male participants. Exclusive aquatic exercise was performed for 8-week, 50 minutes per session, 2x/week. Their quality of life was evaluated before and after the intervention using the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS).RESULTS: Participant 1 improved in the mobility domain, achieving a Clinically Important Difference (CID). Participant 2 improved in the strength and mobility domain, achieving CID; his stroke recovery was 6 %, and it reached 50 % postintervention. Participant 3 improved in the mobility domain, achieving a CID and a Minimal Detectable Change (MDC); his stroke recovery increased from 45 to 60 % post-intervention. Participant 4 improved the strength, mobility, and activities of daily living domains, achieving a CID and a MDC, but his stroke recovery remained unchanged at 80 %.CONCLUSIONS: All participants achieved a CID in the mobility domain; thus, the aquatic exercise intervention was considered meaningful. Moreover, the SIS is able to evaluate aspects of the recovery process regarding health-related quality of life after stroke, as demonstrated by the results of the overall recovery after aquatic exercises.