Does Hydrotherapy Impact Behaviours Related to Mental Health and Well-Being for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Randomised Crossover-Controlled Pilot Trial

Whitney Mills, Nicholas Kondakis, Robin Orr, Michael Warburton and Nikki Milne
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Whitney Mills: Physiotherapy Department, Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
Nicholas Kondakis: Physiotherapy Department, Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
Robin Orr: Physiotherapy Department, Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia
Michael Warburton: Physiotherapy Department, Gateway Physiotherapy, 17/590 Mount Gravatt Capalaba Road, Wishart, QLD 4122, Australia
Nikki Milne: Physiotherapy Department, Bond University Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, 2 Promethean Way, Robina, QLD 4226, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Background: Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are less physically active than typically developing children due to reduced socialisation and delayed gross-motor skills, negatively impacting social, emotional and physical well-being. This study aimed to determine whether hydrotherapy influences behaviours which impact mental health and well-being in children with ASD. Methods: A within-subjects, randomised crossover-controlled pilot trial was used over 8 weeks. Children aged 6–12 years and diagnosed with ASD (n = 8) were randomly allocated to Group 1 (n = 4) or Group 2 (n = 4). All children participated in hydrotherapy intervention from either weeks 1 to 4 or weeks 5 to 8. The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) measured behaviour changes impacting mental health and well-being, administered at weeks 0, 4 and 8. Results: No observable differences were found in CBCL subscales between Group 1 or 2 at baseline (week 0). Paired-samples t-tests revealed significant improvements post-intervention: Anxious/Depressed subdomain ( p = 0.02) and the Internalising Problems Domain Summary ( p = 0.026), with large effect size (d = 1.03 and d = 1.06 respectively). Thought Problems ( p = 0.03) and Attention Problems ( p = 0.01) both significantly improved post-intervention. The Total Problems score significantly improved post-intervention ( p = 0.018) with a large effect size (d = 1.04). Conclusion: Hydrotherapy may enhance behaviours impacting mental health and well-being of children with ASD and could be considered a beneficial therapy option.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder; behaviours; hydrotherapy; physiotherapy; Child Behaviour Checklist (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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