Effect of water-based exercise with or without external buoyancy devices in influencing balance improvement in stroke: scoping review

Background. Stroke is one of the leading causes of disability that can result in spasticity, gait disturbances, and balance disorders. Land-based rehabilitation methods have been explored, and concerns about joint and muscle stress have led researchers to investigate alternative approaches, including water-based exercise. Aim. To summarize the available data related to the clinical picture of whether there is a difference in the effect of water-based exercises with or without external buoyancy devices in influencing balance improvement in stroke. Material and methods. The method used in this study is Scoping Review, which aims to find answers to questions from researchers related to the literature on the research topic. The collected articles will be synthesized using the TIDIER checklist, and articles will be searched through various databases. Results. After conducting the article selection process, 20 suitable articles were found. The details of articles related to population, interventions, and outcome measures are listed. Conclusion. Water-based exercises are efficient for stroke patients. These exercise methods showed effectiveness in improving balance in stroke patients. Many practical water-based exercise methods must be analyzed, especially for stroke patients, in future research.