The Effectiveness of Daily Seawater Immersion Therapy in Enhancing Muscle Strength Recovery among Stroke Patients with Hypertension: An Experimental Study in Parepare, Indonesia

Background: Stroke is a major complication of uncontrolled hypertension, often leading to hemiplegia and impaired muscle strength.Complementary therapies such as seawater immersion are being explored for their potential neuro-muscular benefits.Objective: To assess the effect of daily seawater immersion therapy on muscle strength recovery in hypertensive stroke patients.Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 60 stroke patients aged 30-70 years in Parepare, Indonesia.Patients underwent seawater immersion therapy for two hours daily (07:00-09:00 AM) for 30 consecutive days.Muscle strength was assessed weekly using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale.Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results:After the first week, 40% of patients showed improvement in muscle strength (scores 3 and 4).By the second week, this increased to 50%.In the third week, 60% achieved strength levels of 3-5, and by the fourth week, 82% reached scores of 4 and 5.The results were statistically significant (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Daily seawater immersion for 2 hours significantly improves muscle strength in stroke patients with hypertension.Seawater's biochemical components, including magnesium, calcium, potassium, bromide, and sulfate, may support neuromuscular function and enhance vasoconstriction responses due to cold exposure, promoting recovery.