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The Journal of Aquatic Physical Therapy
Number of Followers: 4  Subscription journalISSN (Print) 2377-6102 - ISSN (Online) 2377-6110 Published by LWW Wolters Kluwer  [330 journals]
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- Message From the Editors: Safe Practice in the Aquatic Environment
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Authors: Van Wingerden; Anita; Michaels, Natalie Norman
Abstract:
No abstract available
PubDate: Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT-
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- Chlorine Gas Poisoning in an Aquatic Exercise Pool: A Case Report
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Authors: Bell; David L.; Keeton, Krystal; Manzo, Michael; May, Easton
Abstract: Background and Purpose: This case report describes an incident of chlorine gas poisoning in an aquatic exercise class of senior adults in which 24 participants, facility employees, and first responders required emergency medical attention with some requiring hospitalization. The cause of the chlorine gas release, the health effects on participants, and the facility's subsequent response are described. The purpose of this case is to inform physical therapists and exercise professionals working in aquatic exercise pools about chlorine gas poisoning prevention and mitigation efforts.Case Description: The cause of this incident was a series of breakdowns in safety procedures leading to the release of chlorine gas while a class was in session. Because of limited exit points, physical debilitation of some participants, and a lack of proper safety equipment, the evacuation effort was delayed, overwhelming participants, facility employees, and first responders with toxic gas. Twenty-four people were transported to the emergency department with 7 hospitalized. At least 3 are known to suffer long-term health effects.Outcomes: The facility concluded that normal operating procedures and safety protocols were not followed. Following the review, the facility took measures to ensure adherence to proper procedures, revised its emergency action plan, and acquired the appropriate safety equipment.Discussion: The accidental release of chlorine gas in an exercise pool is a rare but potentially catastrophic event. Facilities operating exercise and aquatic therapy pools must follow strict protocols for the safe handling of pool chemicals and be prepared to respond immediately if a chlorine gas accident occurs. This case report serves as an example of risk management for the prevention of and response to a catastrophic release of chlorine gas during a group exercise or aquatic therapy session.
PubDate: Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT-
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- Effect of COVID-19 on Aquatic Physical Therapy Practice: What Have We
Learned'-
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Authors: Van Wingerden; Anita; Michaels, Natalie Norman; Salem, Yasser
Abstract:
Background: Since the spring of 2020, the nation and international community have struggled with the task of being and remaining healthy, a task that before the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induced pandemic and global Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, many of us took for granted. The SARS-CoV-2 virus has changed the face of health care, with many physical therapy clinics still using telehealth or virtual examinations that use a variety of online platforms. This could not be done with aquatic physical therapy (APT) intervention. APT is one area of health care where virtual reality was not a reality at all. The purpose of this survey was to assess the effect that the pandemic has had on APT in the United States from March 2020 to February 2022: what changed in APT during the pandemic and to what extent, what changes remain at present, what has worked well, what did not work at all, and what information would help aquatic physical therapists (APTs) and aquatic physical therapist assistants (APTAs) in the future.Methods: An anonymous survey was sent to all APTs and APTAs registered with the Academy of Aquatic Physical Therapy, with 45 respondents.Results: All 45 respondents had to stop working for a minimum of 2 weeks during the US-mandated quarantine. Only 11 of the 45 respondents were able to return to work in the aquatic setting over the ensuing months and some were laid off. It was not until March 2021 that most of these individuals (N = 35) were able to resume aquatic interventions with their patients. By February 2022, 7 of the respondents were still unable to provide APT intervention at their clinical sites.Conclusion: Only 20% of the 45 respondents reported satisfaction with the way things were handled at their clinical sites. Knowledge regarding preventing the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic and the preventive measures required in an APT setting was obtained. Cessation of patient care, along with therapist layoffs, reveals a strong need for education in the field of APT for structured protocols that provide a safe means of continued aquatic intervention and provide confidence for aquatic physical therapists to safely continue APT with their patients.
PubDate: Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT-
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- Effects of Early Aquatic Experience on Motor and Physiological Outcomes in
Infants and Children Under 36 Months: A Systematic Review and
Meta-analysis-
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Authors: Yen; Hannah; Allen, Diane D.; Anderson, David I.
Abstract:
Background and Purpose: Early aquatic experiences may benefit infants and young children with and without developmental delays, but research is limited. Our purpose was to review aquatic experience effects on motor skill, heart rate, and weight gain for participants younger than 3 years of age.Methods: PubMed, Science Direct, and CINAHL were searched from inception through February 2022. Included studies examined infants and children younger than 36 months having aquatic experiences, compared with not having or prior to aquatic experiences, and reported outcomes that included motor skills, heart rate, or infant weight gain. Studies were assessed for quality and potential bias using the PEDro or STROBE checklists. Effect sizes were calculated as the standardized mean difference (Cohen's d; 95% confidence interval) within and between groups in individual studies and combined across studies using random-effects models.Results: Twelve of 16 articles met the criteria, with 110 participants in studies assessing motor skills, 58 participants in studies assessing heart rate, and 421 newborns in studies assessing infant weight gain. Significant within-group effects were found in motor skills (d = 1.16; 0.09, 2.23), heart rate (d = −0.93; −1.54, −0.31), and weight gain (d = 1.01; 0.09, 1.92). Between-group effects were not significant in motor skills (d = 0.48; −0.49, 1.44), but were significant in newborn weight gain (d = 0.63; 0.43, 0.83). No articles reported between-group data for heart rate.Discussion and Conclusions: Moderately strong evidence supports the beneficial effects aquatic experiences have in infants and young children. Limitations include heterogeneity across aquatic experience protocols and measures, retrospective study design for one study, and lack of recommendations for optimal timing and duration for protocols. Additional research is needed to determine effectiveness in subpopulations at developmental risk.
PubDate: Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 GMT-
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