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Effects of Aquatic Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on Social Competence and Quality of Life: A Mixed Methods Study

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  • Javier Güeita-Rodríguez

    (Research Group of Humanities and Qualitative Research in Health Science of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Hum&QRinHS), Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain)

  • Anna Ogonowska-Slodownik

    (Faculty of Rehabilitation, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Natalia Morgulec-Adamowicz

    (Faculty of Rehabilitation, Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-968 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Mar Lledó Martín-Prades

    (Pediatric Brain Damage Unit, Nuestra Señora del Carmen, 46024 Valencia, Spain)

  • Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldívar

    (Rehabilitation Unit, Hospital de Guadarrama, 28440 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Physical Therapy, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, 28223 Madrid, Spain)

  • Domingo Palacios-Ceña

    (Research Group of Humanities and Qualitative Research in Health Science of Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Hum&QRinHS), Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a constellation of social deficits and repetitive sensory-motor behaviours. Aquatic therapy (AT) may be effective in improving the social interactions and behaviours in children with ASD. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of an AT program on social competence and quality of life and to understand participant’s experiences related to the intervention by obtaining qualitative data. A mixed methods intervention study was conducted among 6 children with ASD and their parents, with two research phases in a concurrent embedded design (an aquatic intervention as the quantitative design and a qualitative design in second step). The intervention and qualitative design followed international guidelines and were integrated into the method and reporting subheadings. Significant improvement was observed in the physical competence ( p = 0.026) and important improvements in school functioning and aquatic skills, with no adverse events. Qualitative findings described: the meaning of AT intervention, patterns of behaviour and activities changes, social communication and social interaction. The aquatic intervention showed positive results for the social and physical competence, with elements of discordance, expansion, and confirmation between quantitative and qualitative results.

Suggested Citation

  • Javier Güeita-Rodríguez & Anna Ogonowska-Slodownik & Natalia Morgulec-Adamowicz & Mar Lledó Martín-Prades & Juan Nicolás Cuenca-Zaldívar & Domingo Palacios-Ceña, 2021. "Effects of Aquatic Therapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder on Social Competence and Quality of Life: A Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3126-:d:519503
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Whitney Mills & Nicholas Kondakis & Robin Orr & Michael Warburton & Nikki Milne, 2020. "Does Hydrotherapy Impact Behaviours Related to Mental Health and Well-Being for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Randomised Crossover-Controlled Pilot Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eliska Vodakova & Dimitrios Chatziioannou & Ondrej Jesina & Martin Kudlacek, 2022. "The Effect of Halliwick Method on Aquatic Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, December.

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