As influências da terapia aquática na capacidade funcional, quadro álgico e qualidade de vida de indivíduos com fibromialgia: uma revisão de literatura

Abstract

Introduction: Aquatic therapy is a resource widely used in physiotherapy, helping to control the symptoms of fibromyalgia, a chronic disease identified by generalized pain that causes loss of functional, muscular and psychological capacity of the individual. Objectives: The study aims to evaluate through the literature the effects of aquatic therapy on fibromyalgia in terms of functional capacity, pain and quality of life. Methodology: This is a literature review, which searched the SciELO, Medline, Lilacs and Pubmed databases from February 2020 to June 2021. Articles that met the following criteria were included: having a title, abstract and finally, the full text that fit the pertinent theme. Those articles that did not address the topic were excluded: fibromyalgia; the themes: functional performance, pain and quality of life; and that did not address hydrotherapy. Results: 16 relevant articles were selected and organized into tables that show positive results obtained through aquatic therapies when compared to groups with kinesiotherapy exercises or land exercises, with improvement in functional capacity and pain, reduction of pain-sensitive points and increased quality of life related to sleep, depression and well-being of the individual. Conclusion: The results obtained showed that aquatic therapy contributes to a decrease in tender points and an increase in quality of life, decrease in depression and improvement in motor function. It is concluded that immersion exercises in water offer relaxation, analgesia, decrease depression and increase functional performance compared to exercises performed on land.