A influência da hidroterapia na qualidade de vida do portador de hidrocefalia

: estudo de caso

Abstract

The power of Hydrotherapy is, consensually, believed to be an attractive and stimulating technique, different from the usual, the terrestrial. Thus, the aquatic activities provide people with differentiated experiences from those made on land, because the liquid medium offers some sensuality and physical well-being. Aquatic activities are fundamental to the harmonious development of physical, psychological and social qualities of all people, regardless of their capabilities and limitations. From the moment that the bearer of special needs discovers his/her potential, despite his/her limitations, discovering the ability to move in the water without assistance, he/she starts the pleasure of enjoying the water, which increases his/her self-esteem, self-confidence and, consequently, his/her independence. Thus, the opportunity to move in the water which aquatic activities provide to people with hydrocephalus, is extremely fruitful and beneficial in their development, in their learning and in their social integration. Regarding to this problem, this work intends to verify the influence of Hydrotherapy in the quality of life of the bearer of hydrocephalus, particularly as it regards social, therapeutic and recreational value. To do this, the object of this study is a 12 years old boy, showing clinical diagnosis as being the bearer of sequelae of congenital Hydrocephalus, with hemiparesis right, left parietal brain latent injury, cavernous angioma of the skin of the internal centre left eye, the right foot deformity in equine and compulsive polydipsia. The results obtained through the evaluation of the quality of life showed that J.A. evolved in six of the eight areas evaluated. The two areas which showed no improvement percentage pre post program were those presenting higher values even before the implementation of the programme.

Date of Award	17 Sept 2012
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Filomena Ponte (Supervisor)