Aquatic Therapy for POTS

Overseen By EvaRose Celeste, OT Doctoral student

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: California State University, Dominguez Hills

Disqualifiers: Not diagnosed with POTS, Epilepsy, Bowel incontinence, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

12 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to determine if water-based therapy can alleviate symptoms of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), such as rapid heartbeat when standing, and improve overall quality of life. Participants will attend water therapy sessions three times a week for 12 weeks, focusing on breathing, balance, and strength. This study is open to individuals diagnosed with POTS who have a doctor's permission to participate in aquatic therapy. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy options that may enhance quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial organizers or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this aquatic therapy is safe for people with POTS?

Research has shown that water-based therapy might be a safe treatment for people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). One report suggested it could serve as a beneficial exercise option for these patients. The water offers gentle pressure on the body, which can be helpful.

Additionally, occupational therapy, included in this water therapy, is generally safe and can aid patients in enhancing their daily activities. Although this trial is an early study without previous phases for reference, the safety of these therapies in other settings is encouraging. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about aquatic therapy for POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) because it offers a unique, holistic approach compared to traditional treatments like medication and physical therapy. Unlike standard care, which often focuses on managing symptoms through drugs, aquatic therapy uses water-based exercises to improve balance, strength, and endurance while also challenging cognitive functions. This method leverages the supportive properties of water to reduce strain and increase mobility, potentially offering a more gentle yet effective way to help POTS patients improve their daily functioning and quality of life.

What evidence suggests that aquatic occupational therapy is effective for POTS?

Research has shown that water-based exercise, known as aquatic therapy, might help people with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). One report found aquatic therapy to be an effective exercise option for easing POTS symptoms. Exercise in general is linked to fewer symptoms and a better quality of life for those with POTS. In this trial, all participants will receive Aquatic Occupational Therapy, which can improve balance, strength, and endurance, crucial for managing POTS. These findings suggest that aquatic therapy may enhance life quality and reduce symptoms for people with POTS. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

EvaRose Celeste, OT Doctoral student

Principal Investigator

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Tracy Becerra-Culqui, PhD, MPH, BS OT

Principal Investigator

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) or Autonomic Neuropathy. Participants will engage in aquatic occupational therapy to see if it improves their symptoms and quality of life. Details on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria are not provided, but typically would involve confirming a diagnosis of POTS and ensuring participants can safely perform aquatic exercises.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with POTS.

Participants must be English speaking

I am between 18 and 64 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Bowel incontinence

I have epilepsy.

I am either younger than 18 or older than 64.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Occupational Therapy Evaluation

Participants complete an occupational therapy evaluation before and after program completion

3 hours total

1 visit (30 minutes at home/remote, 30 minutes on-site/in-person, 30 minutes on land)

Aquatic Therapy

Participants engage in aquatic therapy sessions focusing on breathing techniques, strength, endurance, and cognitive challenges

12 weeks

3 sessions per week, 60 minutes each

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Aquatic Occupational Therapy

Trial Overview The study tests whether aquatic occupational therapy can reduce the heart rate increase upon standing (orthostatic tachycardia), alleviate other POTS symptoms, and improve overall quality of life for patients with POTS. It involves an initial evaluation, followed by three one-hour sessions per week over twelve weeks without a comparison group.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Aquatic Occupational Therapy Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

All participants will participate in the aquatic occupational therapy arm. The aquatic occupational therapy intervention is divided into three progressive months: Month 1: Breathing techniques, proprioception, balance, and vestibular activities. Easy breathing and balancing moves Example: Belly breathing, water walking, toe lifts, mountain aqua yoga pose Month 2: Strength and endurance training Building strength and ability to exercise longer Example: Water marching, core exercises using dumbbells or paddles Month 3: Advanced strengthening and endurance tasks with integrated cognitive, balance, and dual-task challenges. Harder exercises and doing two things at once, like thinking and moving together Example: Dumbbell exercises while playing a word association game

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Lead Sponsor

Trials

5

Recruited

360+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07182578

NCT07182578 | Programming Aquatic Therapy for POTS The goal of this pilot study is to create, implement, and evaluate an aquatic therapy for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) ...

2. nsuworks.nova.edu nsuworks.nova.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1635&context=ijahsp

Aquatic Therapy for a Patient with Postural Orthostatic ... The results of this case report suggest that aquatic therapy may be an appropriate exercise modality for patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia.

3. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.033485

Long‐Term POTS Outcomes Survey: Diagnosis, Therapy ... The LT‐POTS (Long Term POTS Outcomes Survey) included questions about quality of life, symptoms, therapies, education, employment, and social impact of disease.

4. patlynk.com patlynk.com/trial/NCT07182578

Aquatic Therapy for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia ... The study aims to see if participating in aquatic therapy can reduce these symptoms, improve overall quality of life, and be a practical option ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1566070224000109

Review article The use and effectiveness of exercise for ... Data from the case studies also demonstrate that exercise training for POTS management leads to reduction in OI symptoms, improvements of QOL and increases in ...

6. hopkinsmedicine.org hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-pots

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) Aquatic therapy may work for some POTS patients due to the water creating pressure around the body. Many experts find that manual physical therapy that ...

7. otpotential.com otpotential.com/treatment/occupational-therapy-for-pots

Occupational Therapy for POTS Occupational therapy is cost-effective and safe. Through rehabilitation, patients often experience improvement in function and may be able to ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9012474/

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): A critical ... POTS is not simply orthostatic intolerance and symptoms or intermittent orthostatic tachycardia but the syndrome needs to be characterized over time and with ...