Eficácia da hidroterapia na redução da dor e na melhora da função fisica em individuos com a lombalgia

Abstract

Low back pain is one of the most common health complaints in society, affecting more than 80% of the population throughout life. It is the largest cause of disability representing a serious social and economic problem. Treatment of low back pain comprises a range of different intervention strategies, among them the aquatic exercises that despite its long history as a treatment for musculoskeletal disorders, have few studies with conclusive results about the benefits of hydrotherapy in low back pain. Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of hydrotherapy in pain and physical function in individuals with low back pain compared to land drills or no exercise. Methods: A survey was conducted in the PubMed, PEDro, SciELO, LILACS and Cochrane Library databases to search randomized clinical trials that have addressed the effect of hydrotherapy in pain and physical function in adult patients with low back pain compared to other types of intervention or no treatment. The methodological quality of the selected studies were analyzed using the PEDro scale. Results: Eight studies were selected. Of these, seven evaluated the outcome pain and observed improvements in individuals studied in six studies. Physical capacity has improved in all the selected articles. Conclusion: Hydrotherapy can be an important and effective resource in the treatment of low back pain. Despite generating positive effects on pain and function when compared to no intervention or educational programes, the positive effects of hydrotherapy do not seem to be higher than land exercise.