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This protocol serves to describe the systematic steps the authors will follow in order to plan, develop and synthesize the scoping review. This scoping review will be relevant to describe and discuss the context of aquatic therapy interventions applied to stroke survivors, revealing important factors that determine the implementation of aquatic therapies post-stroke.

Context/Objective: Aquatic therapy (AT) has been used to enhance balance and mobility in people with disabilities; however, AT is reported to be underused among people with spinal cord injury or disorder (SCI/D). We aimed to understand the perceptions of AT use by physical therapists (PT), PT assistants (PTA) and kinesiologists (KIN) across Canada for clients with SCI/D. Design/Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were completed with PT, PTA and KIN (phone or in-person). PT, PTA and KIN who had used AT with at least one client with SCI/D in the past year were eligible. Interview questions queried each participant’s AT setting, AT approaches, and perceived facilitators and barriers to AT implementation for clients with SCI/D. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes and subthemes. Results: Six PT (2 male, 4 female), three PTA (female) and 1 KIN (female) participated. The following four themes were identified: (1) multi-system benefits from AT (e.g. from impairment to function, confidence and enjoyment); (2) application of AT (e.g. based on principles of the water); (3) perceived barriers to implementing AT (e.g. pool accessibility, client comorbidities); and (4) water as an enabler to function on land. Conclusions: The participants reported AT was a unique and versatile approach that benefits the multi-dimensional aspects of the health of individuals with SCI/D. They successfully integrated AT into their clinical practice despite the barriers faced by professionals and clients.

Background: Increased physical activity has a modest effect on the spatial distribution of bone mineral. The risks and benefits of exercise for women with osteoporosis at high risk to fracture are not known. The decompression of aquatic exercise is an option to increase exercise compliance. The dual energy absorptiometry (DXA) vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) images 2D bone geometry however measurement properties have not been established for this outcome. Purpose: To determine relative and absolute intra-rater reliability of DXA-based vertebral height (VH) measures and to assess the feasibility of investigating bone outcomes in women with established osteoporosis before and after a 6 month aquatic exercise program. Methods: DXA VFA scans of 32 women over 60 years old were analyzed on 2 occasions, 4 weeks apart. Relative reliability, intraclass correlation coefficient (95% CI) and absolute reliability, standard error of measurement (95% CI) were estimated for visible anterior, middle and posterior VHs from T4 to L4. Women with osteoporosis at high risk to fracture (clinical practice guidelines used) were recruited from two osteoporosis clinics. Feasibility of recruitment, adherence to the exercise, adherence to the assessment protocols (DXA, pQCT, physical performance measures), safety and retention were assessed. Results: Intra-rater reliability ICC >0.87 (0.74, 0.94) and SEM Conclusion: Further study of measurement properties of VH and protocols for recruitment, data management and safety are required. Master of Science Rehabilitation Science (MSc)