| Occupational therapists are beginning to carve out a role for their profession within the aquatic therapy world (McManus & Kotelchuck, 2007). The purpose of this systematic review of literature was to determine the efficacy of aquatic therapy as an occupational therapy intervention used for children ages birth to 18 years-old. The examined studies scrutinized functional movement (core stability, range of motion, muscle strength, and motor planning), social skills, self-esteem, and participation. Limitations of the literature included inconsistent protocols, small sample sizes, and limited amount of research. Despite these limitations, aquatic therapy appeared to be aesthetically pleasing and motivational to multiple clients. In conclusion, aquatic therapy appeared to be as effective as traditional therapy interventions but was not found to be more beneficial than traditional therapy. |
