Stroke is the leading cause of permanent disability in western countries. Felipe Aidar, Nuno Garrido, Ricardo Jacó, Daniel Marinho, Vitor Reis, and António Silva analyzed the effect of an aquatic exercise program for depression in stroke victims.

In the course of their research, they analyzed two different groups of individuals who experienced strokes. The first (experimental) group consisted of 15 individuals averaging 50.3 years. The second (control) group consisted of 13 individuals averaging 52.5 years. The experimental group underwent a 12-week aquatic exercise program and both groups were evaluated in a pre- and post-treatment. Significant differences were found in the pre- and post-treatment tests for the experimental group. When both groups were compared with one another, significant differences were found in the depression and anxiety levels.

The researchers concluded that aquatic physical therapy tends to provide several improvements in motor behavior, enhancing independence and functional capacity besides other advantages to physical fitness. In addition to these improvements, the levels of depression and anxiety in stroke victims decrease.

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