Watsu in clinical applications

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET0mVCpLvrY

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N=7
N=15
N=2
N=1

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Fig 1. Searching engines and
the process of article
selections in this study

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http://tinyurl.com/y234v6v4
http://tinyurl.com/y65hdwgo
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http://tinyurl.com/y2etgg3y
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Impact
factor:
2.064

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9. *
• Intervention group (WATSU): 9
control group (no treatment): 8
• Outcome measures:
ü Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
ü SF-36
ü Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
ü Multidimensional Mood State
Questionnaire (MDMQ)
• Assessments took place on days 1
(baseline), 4, and 8 (follow-up)
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http://tinyurl.com/y234v6v4

10. 10 http://tinyurl.com/yxjgoefp

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There is no significant difference between groups and baseline characteristics.

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• After Watsu, the stress scores decreased immediately.
8 polylines presented the
stress scale of the 8 women
(intervention group).
P=0.028
*
P=0.012
*

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Immediately changes
ü Stress
ü Pain
ü Mood
ü Alertness
ü Calmness
Watsu vs Control

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Watsu
Watsu
vs
Control

15. 1557 99.9

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Impact factor:
1.129
Spain

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• Cervical dystonia (CD) at least 5
years
• Watsu group: n=15
Control group: n=12
• CD, sometimes referred to as
spasmodic torticollis, is a
movement disorder
characterized by involuntary
contractions of the neck
muscles, leading to a disabling
abnormal head posture.

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There is no significant difference
between groups and baseline characteristics.
Total 15 moves

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Watsu+AT
Autogenic training (lying): “I am at peace,” “My right/left arm is heavy,” “My right/left
arm is warm,” “Breathing calm and regular,” and “Heartbeat calm and regular”

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Quality of life
Better quality of life
(p0.01, Watsu group)

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Pain
Relieved pain
( p0.01, Watsu group)

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Mood
Decreased depression and anxiety
(p0.05 for BDI-II, Watsu group)

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• Fibromyalgia (FMS) for 4.3 years, female,
46.3 yr (26-65yr)
• Watsu group: n=13
Aix massage group: n=13
• Crossover design
A: Watsu*4 sessions—washout 3 wk– Aix* 4
B: Aix* 4 sessions—washout 3 wk– Watsu*4
Randomly assigned to Watsu or Aix massage
• Outcome measure: SF-36
• The etiology of FMS is unclear, but it is
characterized by chronic, diffuse
musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, bilateral
tender points and disturbed sleep (Adams
and Sim, 1098; Wolfe, 1997)
• Those with FMS tend to have low self
esteem, exhibit behaviors of
catastrophizing, depression and irrational
thinking.
catastrophizing
http://tinyurl.com/y2etgg3y

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Watsu has developed into a gentle
form of body therapy combining
elements of massage, joint
mobilization, shiatsu, muscle
stretching and dance ( Kieren Faull,
2004).
Aix massage is a full body massage
under jets of warm water
(35-39°C) aimed to reduce
muscular spasms and tension,
increase immune efficiency,
circulation and tissue healing.
For 30 minutes/session.
FMS

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P0.05
* P0.05
*
FMS

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P0.05
*
P0.05
*
FMS

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FMS

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FMS

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*

34. Ref First
author
Population InterVention
Comparison Outcome
measures
Results
1 Agnes M.
Schitter,
2015
Pregnancy
(=34
wks)
n=17
Watsu, n=9
2 sessions *60'
Water Temp
(WT):35°C
Control, n=8
No treatment
(matching)
SF-36,
PSS
VAS,
MDMQ
Significantly
decreased
stress and
pain;
improved
mental
function and
mood
2 Ana Isabel
Useros-olmo,
2018
Cervical
dystonia
(5 yrs)
n=27
Watsu, n=15
4 sessions *50'
(1 session/wk);
WT:33-35 °C
(Autogenic
training, 2*15'/
day, 30 days)
Control, n=12
No treatment
(matching)
SF-36,
VAS,
TWSTRS,
BDI-II,
STAI
Significantly
decreased
pain,
improved
physical and
social
function
3 Kieren Faulk,
2005
FMS
(~4.3 yrs)
n=13,
crossover
(washout
3 wk)
Watsu, n=13
4 sessions
*45’ ;WT:32-35
°C (2 sessions/
wk)
Aix massage,
n=13
4 sessions
*30’ ; WT:
35-39 °C (2
sessions/wk)
SF-36 Significantly
decreased
pain,
improved
physical,
vitality and
social
function
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35. 1) The sample size was small
2) A passive control group was used for comparison
with the experimental group
3) No follow-up period was included.
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*

36. * Warm water is the ideal medium to provide integrative
therapy that frees not only the body but also the mind and
spirit (Harold Dull, 1997)
* Holistic medicine, defined as the art and the science of
healing the body, mind and spirit ( Graham-pole, 2001).
* Watsu is a holistic intervention and it worth of developing a
full study to explore the therapeutic effects.
* Watsu for 45-60 minutes/ session and 2-4 sessions could
significantly improved quality of life, pain and mental
health.
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*

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*
p RCT
p Larger sample size
p Functional movement test
p TMS for HPA axis activity

38. * Reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-
adrenal axis activity, that is, lower
plasma cortisol levels along with
increased mental and physical
relaxation in context with
immersion, has previously been
reported [J. W. Turner Jr., 1983, A.
Kjellgren, U. ,2001)
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*
Decrease HPA axis activityà
increased mental and physical relaxation
àbetter functional mobility?
https://tinyurl.com/y427bcb2

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