The effect of aquatic therapy on psychological aspects of pain in arthritic patients

M.A. (Psychology)Numerous amounts ofliterature has confirmed the positive correlation that exists between exercise and psychological well-being. With the increased interest in the associated psychological factors ofpain, the present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of chronic pain on rheumatoid arthritic and osteoarthritic patients, with the overall aim of reducing, and alleviating these factors. The psychological factors studied were depression, effects ofthe impact ofarthritis, for example, on the independent, physical and psychosocial aspects oftheir lives, as well as coping. It was hypothesized that by engaging in an aquatic exercise program there would be a reduction/alleviation ofpain, which in tum would demonstrate a reduction in the psychological components ofpain. Evidence was found to support the hypothesis, due to the fact that, after exposure to the aquatic therapy program, subjects demonstrated a reduction in pain followed by a reduction in depression, slight improvement in coping with their arthritis, and the impact of arthritis was partially alleviated. The need for a larger sample group, as well a longer period of investigation will be needed for future research