The impact of WATSU as Physiotherapy Method on Fatigue for People Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Aim: To identify the impact of WATSU method on fatigue which has an impact on sleep and quality of life, pain and depression or its aggravation. Materials and Methods: The study involved the four participants. The following instruments were used: Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life questionnaire; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Burns Depression Checklist; Fatigue Impact Scale. The study was carried out in medical center in Lithuania from 09-11-2019 till 18-01-2020 during 10 weeks. Each participant of the study received ten WATSU sessions. The research data was processed using SPSS Statistics 20. Qualitative Outcome Measures were conducted by content analysis, observation, semi-structured individual interview methods. Results: After 10 sessions, fatigue lessened in all people investigated. Initially, the average of fatigue was 70 points and decreased to 34 points after the investigation. The average sleep quality index was as high as 5 points, after ten weeks the average decreased to 3 points. Changes in assessment of major to mild depression: initially, the average was 36 points, which decreased to 14 points after ten weeks. Conclusions: The WATSU method was effective in reducing fatigue as a physiotherapy method. Along with changes in fatigue, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index decreased, energy and motivation increased, quality of life improved, level of depression reduced, and the change was statistically significant. While assessing the quality of life, pain was found to be decreased – it became less frequent after ten weeks of sessions and less intense or even absent, its influence on daily activities decreased.