Status of aquatic functional training in the therapy of chronic back pain

Purpose: The aim of this investigation was the evaluation of the effects of the Aquatic Functional Training compared to alternative physiotherapeutic treatments in the therapy of chronic back pain. Material and methods: In a controlled prospective study 90 male patients aged 32 to 45 years suffering chronic back pain (> 2 years) were randomised to a control group (CG) without physiotherapeutic treatment and 4 test groups (TG), who carried out a back training program of 90 min over a period of five weeks twice weekly. TG1 completed the training program by means of auxotonic training devices, TG2 was supplied with a land program to improve coordinative abilities. TG3 passed through a combined program consisting of an aquatic and auxotonic training and the patients of TG4 practised therapy water-based exclusively. Results: With regard to the selected criteria it was realized a homogenous level for all groups at the beginning of the investigation (TO). While the data obtained for the CG remained virtually unchanged over the period of investigation, in all TG a decrease in back pain as well as in restrictions for activities of daily living could be proved at the end of the intervention in T1 (5 weeks after TO). Furthermore an increase in balance of the trunk musculature and in quality of spinal proprioception was analysed (p < 0.05/0.01). Without any further accompanied physiotherapeutic treatment the positive results for the TG could be stabilized 5 months later (T2). The strongest effects in T1 and T2 were evaluated for TG3, followed by TG2, TG4 and finally by TG1. Conclusions: In the sample investigated the Aquatic Functional Training especially take effect as a treatment preparing effective training of muscle strength. However, the problem of the exact measuring out of physical strain intensity by means of aquatic training is not solved sufficiently up to now.