The Effectiveness of Aquatherapy on Physical Performance and Fear of Falling in Geriatric Individuals With Low Back Pain

Summary

This randomized controlled trial is designed to evaluate the effects of aquatherapy on physical performance, balance, and fear of falling in older adults with chronic low back pain. Participants aged 65 years and older, with low back pain persisting for more than three months, will be randomly allocated to either an Aquatherapy Group or a Conservative Treatment Group.

The aquatherapy intervention will be delivered in a supervised therapeutic pool environment and will consist of a structured exercise program performed three times per week for six weeks (18 sessions in total). Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes and will include standardized warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down phases. The intervention will utilize the physical properties of water, including buoyancy, viscosity, and hydrostatic pressure, to facilitate postural control, enhance trunk stability, and improve lower extremity muscle strength. The intervention is classified as a non-pharmacological, exercise-based rehabilitation program. No pharmacological agents will be used during the intervention.

The conservative treatment group will receive standard land-based physiotherapy, which will include trunk stabilization exercises, stretching exercises, lower extremity strengthening, and balance training, delivered under supervision with the same frequency and duration as the aquatherapy group.

Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Balance performance will be evaluated using the Biodex Balance System, a computerized posturography device providing objective measures of postural stability. Physical performance will be assessed using the 1-Minute Sit-to-Stand Test (1MSTS), and fear of falling will be measured using the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I).

This study is expected to provide evidence regarding the effectiveness of aquatherapy as a comprehensive rehabilitation approach for improving functional outcomes and reducing fall-related concerns in older adults with chronic low back pain.

Conditions

• Low Back Pain

Interventions

OTHER

Aquatherapy

Participants in the aquatherapy group will receive a structured, supervised aquatic exercise program conducted in a therapeutic pool environment. The intervention will last for 6 weeks, with sessions performed three times per week, totaling 18 sessions. Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes and will consist of warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down phases. The intervention type is classified as a non-pharmacological, exercise-based procedural intervention. The program will be delivered in a temperature-controlled therapeutic pool and will utilize the physical properties of water, including buoyancy, viscosity, and hydrostatic pressure. No pharmacological agents will be administered during the intervention. If required for safety and exercise facilitation, standard aquatic equipment such as flotation devices may be used. Balance outcomes will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System, a computerized postural stability assessment device, which provides objective measureme

OTHER

Conservative Treatment

Participants in the conservative treatment group will receive a structured, supervised land-based physiotherapy program for 6 weeks, three times per week, totaling 18 sessions. Each session will last approximately 45-60 minutes and will include exercises, stretching, lower extremity strengthening, and balance training aimed at improving physical function and postural control.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-30

Primary Completion

2026-06-30

Completion

2026-06-30