Studies

Schitter & Fleckenstein, 2015, The complementary therapy WATSU® in the rehabilitation period following a serious car accident
Seven weeks after a motorbike accident, a patient was discharged home and chose to expand her therapeutic programme to include WATSU®. As well as suffering from restrictions caused by various broken bones (including the pelvis and the thigh bone and numerous ribs), the patient was also suffering from the psychological effects of the life-threatening experience
She received WATSU® treatment 6 times in 2 months and kept a diary during this time which has been scientifically analysed. It became clear that the areas of focus addressed by the patient in connection with WATSU®, were markedly different from those that related to her everyday experiences and other medical experiences. WATSU® was, to her, literally “complementary” and enhanced her rehabilitation phase. You can see the poster for the case report here.

Schitter et al., 2015, WATSU® in the third trimester of pregnancy.
In close collaboration with the gynaecological clinic at the University Hospital of Bern, the Bern University of Applied Sciences and the Institute of Complementary Medicine (IKOM) at the University of Bern, a study was carried out on the effects of WATSU® in the last trimester. The controlled study, with 17 participants, recorded a wide variety of parameters. The qualitative results suggest that WATSU® was greatly enjoyed by all of the study participants who received treatment. Any stress and back pain was said to have reduced after WATSU® treatment. Notably high uterus tonus corrected itself on some women following the two one-hour treatments (which were carried out within four days), making it possible to attempt to turn half of the eight babies who were lying in a difficult position. One child turned itself spontaneously between the first and second WATSU® sessions, from breech to cephalic.

At no point were any negative side effects observed. Amniotic fluid volumes as well as blood supply through the umbilical cord were within the norms every time measurements were taken (directly before and after the treatments and on day 8 of the study) and the feedback from the mothers reflected unanimous enthusiasm. The study can be found here.

Chon et al., 2009, Spastic Hemiparesis
Three patients who were paralysed on one side following a stroke, were treated with WATSU® 40 times over a period of 8 weeks. Tests on their functional abilities (e.g. walking) showed marked improvements. WATSU® had a positive effect on muscle tone for this group of patients, in particular with regard to spasms. You will find the details of the study here.

Maczkowiak, 2007, Depression
Within the context of hospitalised inpatients, 31 people who were diagnosed with depression were allocated various movement therapy programmes. Over six weeks they received four one-hour movement therapy sessions per week in addition to their individual medication and psychotherapy. All the participants experienced improvements of their condition over the course of the six weeks, most of all the 9 participants whose movement therapy programme included 1-2 WATSU® sessions per week. The study can be found here.

Faull, 2005, Fibromyalgia
In this study, thirteen participants who suffered from the pain syndrome Fibromyalgia were treated four times within two weeks either with Aix (a massage, which is carried out on land under a warm-water shower) or WATSU®. Only WATSU® achieved significant positive effects, specifically in the following areas: vitality, physical ability, physical pain and a social role (established with questionnaire SF-36). Moreover, the improvements in physical well-being and the emotional role were also considerable, even if not significant. You will find the details of the study here.