Effects of Passive Hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu) in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Results of a Controlled Pilot Study
Version
Published
Date Issued
2015
Author(s)
Type
Article
Language
English
Abstract
Background.
WATSU (WaterShiatsu) is a complementary therapeutic treatment method comprising passive stretches and massage techniques administered in 35∘C warm water. Pregnant women claim safe methods to reduce pain, stress, and fatigue.Therefore, we conducted a pilot study evaluating the effects ofWATSU on pregnancy-related complaints in third trimester pregnant women.
Methods.
Nine healthy pregnant women at gestational week ≥34 were included in an intervention group (receiving WATSU) and compared to eight women in a passive control group (receiving no treatment). WATSU was performed on days 1 and 4 of the study, accompanied by ultrasound examinations. Outcomes include physiological and psychometric as well as qualitative data. Participants in the control group completed questionnaires only.
Results. WATSU was found to significantly lower participants’ levels of stress and pain and to improve their mental health-related quality of life and mood. In comparison to the passive control group, participants in the intervention group reported reduction in perceived stress from day 1 to day 8 (
WATSU (WaterShiatsu) is a complementary therapeutic treatment method comprising passive stretches and massage techniques administered in 35∘C warm water. Pregnant women claim safe methods to reduce pain, stress, and fatigue.Therefore, we conducted a pilot study evaluating the effects ofWATSU on pregnancy-related complaints in third trimester pregnant women.
Methods.
Nine healthy pregnant women at gestational week ≥34 were included in an intervention group (receiving WATSU) and compared to eight women in a passive control group (receiving no treatment). WATSU was performed on days 1 and 4 of the study, accompanied by ultrasound examinations. Outcomes include physiological and psychometric as well as qualitative data. Participants in the control group completed questionnaires only.
Results. WATSU was found to significantly lower participants’ levels of stress and pain and to improve their mental health-related quality of life and mood. In comparison to the passive control group, participants in the intervention group reported reduction in perceived stress from day 1 to day 8 (
Publisher DOI
Journal
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
ISSN
1741-427X
Organization
Volume
2015
Publisher
Hindawi
Submitter
ServiceAccount
Citation apa
Schitter, A. M., Nedeljkovic, M., Baur, H., Fleckenstein, J., & Raio, L. (2015). Effects of Passive Hydrotherapy WATSU (WaterShiatsu) in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: Results of a Controlled Pilot Study. In Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Vol. 2015). Hindawi. https://doi.org/10.24451/arbor.5796
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