Effectiveness Of Hydrotherapy On Health-Related Quality Of Life In Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a commonly occurring disease in children that cause major functional disabilities ^[1,2]. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in improving the health-related quality of life in children affected with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Methodology: Total sixty-three children were recruited in the study; out of which three patients did not fully comply the inclusion criteria, so remaining sixty patients were randomized into experimental (n=30) and control group (n=30) by using systemic sampling. Control group was treated with conventional physical therapy only while experimental group received both conventional physical therapy and hydrotherapy for a duration of six weeks. Child Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) was used as measurement tool at the baseline and then after six weeks of intervention to evaluate the health-related quality of life in patients. Results: After six weeks of interventions, there were statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) in outcome measures of both experimental and control group. But improvement in experimental group was more evident as there was greater reduction in the mean values of outcome measures as compared to control group. Conclusion: According to findings of study it was concluded that hydrotherapy has potential to improve health related quality of life in children affected with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.