Effects of Passive Hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu) in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Results of a Controlled Pilot Study
Joint Authors
Nedeljkovic, Marko
Schitter, Agnes M.
Baur, Heiner
Fleckenstein, Johannes
Raio, Luigi
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2015, Issue 2015 (31 Dec. 2015), pp.1-10, 10 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2015-03-01
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
10
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Background.
WATSU (WaterShiatsu) is a complementary therapeutic treatment method comprising passive stretches and massage techniques administered in 35°C warm water.
Pregnant women claim safe methods to reduce pain, stress, and fatigue.
Therefore, we conducted a pilot study evaluating the effects of WATSU on pregnancy-related complaints in third trimester pregnant women.
Methods.
Nine healthy pregnant women at gestational week ≥34 were included in an intervention group (receiving WATSU) and compared to eight women in a passive control group (receiving no treatment).
WATSU was performed on days 1 and 4 of the study, accompanied by ultrasound examinations.
Outcomes include physiological and psychometric as well as qualitative data.
Participants in the control group completed questionnaires only.
Results.
WATSU was found to significantly lower participants’ levels of stress and pain and to improve their mental health-related quality of life and mood.
In comparison to the passive control group, participants in the intervention group reported reduction in perceived stress from day 1 to day 8 ( P = 0.036 , Cohen’s f = 0.57 ).
Qualitative data indicate that WATSU was appreciated as enjoyable and deeply relaxing.
No negative side effects were reported.
Conclusion.
Our findings support the notion that WATSU yields therapeutic benefits for pregnant women and warrant further research.
This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01708018.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Schitter, Agnes M.& Nedeljkovic, Marko& Baur, Heiner& Fleckenstein, Johannes& Raio, Luigi. 2015. Effects of Passive Hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu) in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Results of a Controlled Pilot Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1061504
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Schitter, Agnes M.…[et al.]. Effects of Passive Hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu) in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Results of a Controlled Pilot Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2015 (2015), pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1061504
American Medical Association (AMA)
Schitter, Agnes M.& Nedeljkovic, Marko& Baur, Heiner& Fleckenstein, Johannes& Raio, Luigi. Effects of Passive Hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu) in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Results of a Controlled Pilot Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015. Vol. 2015, no. 2015, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1061504
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1061504