A 12-week multicomponent aquatic training program in 28 mild–moderate PD patients improved bradykinesia and functional measures (walking speed, sit-to-stand), but gains largely diminished at 4-week follow-up.

Offers modest clinical relevance as a non-pharmacological symptomatic intervention that may inform rehabilitation practice and trial design, but has limited therapeutic discovery value for drug development due to small, uncontrolled sample and no mechanistic or biomarker data.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a 12-week Multicomponent Aquatic Training (MAT) program on bradykinesia in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: A quasi-experimental single-group study with repeated measures and convenience sampling was conducted. Assessments were performed at baseline (after a 4-week pre-study observation), pre- and post-12-week intervention, and at 4-week follow-up. The MDS-UPDRS bradykinesia subscale (BRAD), and the bradykinesia-akinesia incoordination test for kinesia (BRAIN KS) and akinesia (BRAIN AT) scores were used. The 10-m walk test was used to determine habitual (WS) and maximum (WSMAX) walking speed, and the 5 times sit-to-stand test (FTSST) to assess power, dynamic strength, and muscular endurance. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0, and a significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted for significant differences. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. To verify the treatment effect, the Friedman non-parametric test was conducted, followed by the MSD multiple comparison test. Effect Size (ES) analysis was also conducted. RESULTS: Twenty-eight individuals with PD between stages 1-3 in the Hoehn and Yahr Scale completed the study. Following MAT there were increases in BRAD (p < 0.001) with moderate ES (0.330), BRAIN KS on the side contralateral to the onset of the disease (p = 0.003) with small ES (0.165), WS and WSMAX (<0.001; p < 0.001), with large ES (0.565 and 0.565, respectively) and FTSST (p < 0.001) with moderate ES (0.448). All variables had a loss to follow-up, suggesting that improvements in follow-up were not maintained. CONCLUSION: MAT improved bradykinesia and functional performance in individuals with PD. However, benefits diminished after follow-up, highlighting the importance of ongoing treatment to sustain and enhance outcomes.