Author(s)

Maria H. Lindqvist, Gunvor E. Gard

Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Samrehab, Sjukgymnastiken, V?rnamo Sjukhus, V?rnamo, Sweden.
Samrehab, Sjukgymnastiken, V?rnamo Sjukhus, V?rnamo, Sweden.

Purpose: To describe how patients living with psoriatic arthritis experience long-term hydrotherapy group treatment. Studies for this group of patients are lacking. Method: Qualitative in terviews were conducted with ten informants after hydrotherapy treatment. The treatment included exercises for increased mobility, coordination, endurance, aerobic fitness, stretching and relaxation. The interviews were analysed with content analysis. Results: A theme “hydrotherapy—a multidimensional experience” and two categories emerged: situational factors and effects of hydrotherapy. The category “situ- ational factors” comprised the subcategories: warm water, training factors and a competent instructor, and the category “effects of hydro- therapy” comprised the subcategories: psy- chological effects, improved physical capacity, social effects, changed pain experience and changes in work and participation in daily life. Conclusion: Positive effects of regular hydro- therapy in a group setting were shown in physical ability, energy, sleep, cognitive function, work and participation in daily life. The instruc- tors had an important coaching role, which needs to be promoted.

Hydrotherapy; Psoriasis Arthritis; Rehabilitation; Qualitative Study

Lindqvist, M. and Gard, G. (2013) Hydrotherapy treatment for patients with psoriatic arthritis—A qualitative study. Open Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 1, 22-30. doi: 10.4236/ojtr.2013.12005.