Effects of kinesiotherapy versus hidrokinetic therapy on the rehabilitation of patients with amputation

Abstract

The study aimed to highlight quality of life and identify impact differences in balance rehabilitation for patients with lower limb amputation performing hydrokinetic therapy versus kinesiotherapy programmes. The research participants were 16 male patients aged 40-60 years with lower limb amputation for 6-12 months, who were divided into two groups: the hydrokinetic therapy (HKT) group and the kinesiotherapy (KT) group, whose names reflect the contents of rehabilitation programmes implemented over a 2-week period. The study included two testing phases, an initial and a final one, and used the Four Square Step Test to assess balance and the TAPES questionnaire to assess quality of life. Analysis of the results for the Four Square Step Test aimed at balance rehabilitation indicated 6.125 seconds for the HKT group and 6 seconds for the KT group. It is also found that the rehabilitation of balance and quality of life is effectively achieved by implementing both HKT and KT programmes. The research findings highlight that more attention is paid to changes in the medical condition of patients and how they manage different daily situations and use the prosthesis. We can state that the use of the prosthesis and the medical condition determine a better quality of life than the type of rehabilitation programme applied.