Volume 12 - Articles-1401                   MEJDS (2022) 12: 272 | Back to browse issues page

Ethics code: IR.IAU.SRB.REC.1399.140

XML Persian Abstract Print

Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Javadiasayesh S, Arjmandnia A, Kashanivahid L. The Effect of Halliwick-Based Hydrotherapy on Sleep Problems in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Hospitalized in the Boarding Ward. MEJDS 2022; 12 :272-272
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-2492-en.html
The Effect of Halliwick-Based Hydrotherapy on Sleep Problems in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Hospitalized in the Boarding Ward
Sehraneh Javadiasayesh1 , Aliakbar Arjmandnia *2 , Leila Kashanivahid3
1- PhD Student of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran
3- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research, Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (1005 Views)

Abstract
Background & Objectives: Sleep problems among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are more common than among children with other kinds of developmental disorders as well as normal children. There is a high rate of bedtime resistance, daytime insomnia, sleepiness, nocturnal insomnia, and delayed sleep phase disorder among these children, and these problems seem to remain throughout their lifetime. Long–term sleep problems can affect the body, behavior, and cognitive function of children. One of the newest methods to reduce sleep problems is hydrotherapy. The utilization of water at different temperatures can have different effects on various body systems. This method is based on the principles of floating, hydrostatic pressure, turbulence, and flow that provides sensory stimuli through water temperature, improvement of blood circulation, and muscle relaxation. The present study aimed to determine the effect of hydrotherapy based on the Halliwick program on sleep problems in boys with ASD who were hospitalized in the boarding ward.
Methods: Thisresearch was quasi–experimental with a pretest–posttest and follow–up design with a control group. The statistical population of this research comprised all the children with ASD living in Karaj City, Iran. The sample size was determined with the G*Power software. Among the boys hospitalized in the boarding ward of the Kahrizak Alborz sanatorium, 24 were selected by convenience and purposive sampling method, with regard to inclusion criteria, which were diagnosis of ASD by a psychiatrist and psychologist, the age range of 4–11 years, and ability to understand oral instructions. The exclusion criterion was the absence of more than one meeting. Research tools included Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (Owens et al., 2000) and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale–Second Edition (GARS–2) (Gilliam, 2006). Before the intervention, both experimental and control groups were tested. Then, the treatment sessions were performed according to the Halliwick program which included 24 sessions, 3 sessions a week. In the end, the posttest and 1 month later follow–up were performed for both groups. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t test comparing the averages of two independent groups, analysis of variance with repeated measurements and LSD post hoc test) were used. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 22 software at a significance level of 0.05.
Results: Results of analysis of variance for the intragroup factor (time) (p<0.001) and the intergroup factor (group) (p<0.001) in sleep problems variable was significant. Also, the group*time effect was significant (p<0.001) with an effect size of 0.82. Hydrotherapy based on the Holliwik program had a significant effect on the reduction of sleep problems in the experimental group in the posttest phase (p=0.001) and its effects were sustained in the follow–up phase as well (p=0.375).
Conclusion: According to the findings of this research, hydrotherapy significantly reduced sleep problems in children with ASD. Thus, this method can be used as a complementary approach in rehabilitating children with ASD.

Keywords: Hydrotherapy, Halliwick, Sleep problems, Autism spectrum disorder
Full-Text [PDF 386 kb]   (322 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Psychology
References
1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. 5th edition. American Psychiatric Association; 2013. [DOI]
2. Maenner MJ, Shaw KA, Baio J, EdS1, Washington A, Patrick M, et al. Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years-autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2016. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2020;69(4):1–12. [DOI]
3. Al-Farsi OA, Al-Farsi YM, Al-Sharbati MM, Al-Adawi S. Sleep habits and sleep disorders among children with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities and typically developing children in Oman: a case-control study. Early Child Dev Care. 2019;189(14):2370–80. [DOI]
4. Kotagal S, Broomall E. Sleep in children with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatr Neurol. 2012;47(4):242–51. [DOI]
5. O’Callaghan FV, Al Mamun A, O’Callaghan M, Clavarino A, Williams GM, Bor W, et al. The link between sleep problems in infancy and early childhood and attention problems at 5 and 14years: Evidence from a birth cohort study. Early Hum Dev. 2010;86(7):419–24. [DOI]
6. Hodge D, Hoffman CD, Sweeney DP, Riggs ML. Relationship between children’s sleep and mental health in mothers of children with and without autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2013;43(4):956–63. [DOI]
7. Kliewer W, Lepore SJ. Exposure to violence, social cognitive processing, and sleep problems in urban adolescents. J Youth Adolesc. 2015;44(2):507–17. [DOI]
8. Veatch OJ, Maxwell-Horn AC, Malow BA. Sleep in autism spectrum disorders. Curr Sleep Medicine Rep. 2015;1(2):131–40. [DOI]
9. Reynolds AM, Malow BA. Sleep and autism spectrum disorders. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2011;58(3):685–98. [DOI]
10. Case-Smith J, Weaver LL, Fristad MA. A systematic review of sensory processing interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism. 2015;19(2):133–48. [DOI]
11. Jain V, Marbach J, Kimbro S, Andrade DC, Jain A, Capozzi E, et al. Benefits of oxytocin administration in obstructive sleep apnea. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2017;313(5):L825–33. [DOI]
12. May T, Cornish K, Conduit R, Rajaratnam SMW, Rinehart NJ. Sleep in high-functioning children with autism: longitudinal developmental change and associations with behavior problems. Behav Sleep Med. 2015;13(1):2–18. [DOI]
13. Wachob D, Lorenzi DG. Brief report: influence of physical activity on sleep quality in children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord. 2015;45(8):2641–6. [DOI]
14. Klein N, Kemper KJ. Integrative approaches to caring for children with autism. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 2016;46(6):195–201. [DOI]
15. Surtees ADR, Richards C, Clarkson EL, Heald M, Trickett J, Denyer H, et al. Sleep problems in autism spectrum disorders: A comparison to sleep in typically developing children using actigraphy, diaries and questionnaires. Res Autism Spectr Disord. 2019;67:101439. [DOI]
16. Weiskop S, Richdale A, Matthews J. Behavioural treatment to reduce sleep problems in children with autism or fragile X syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2007;47(2):94–104. [DOI]
17. Yilmaz I, Konukman F, Birkan B, Yanardağ M. Effects of most to least prompting on teaching simple progression swimming skill for children with autism. Educ Train Autism Dev Disabil. 2010;45(3):440–8.
18. Fleming SA, Gutknecht NC. Naturopathy and the primary care practice. Prim Care. 2010;37(1):119–36. [DOI]
19. Yadav R, Karmakar N, Satapathy T, Roy A. An evidence-based new insight into treatment of diseases by hydrotherapy. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2019;10(1):57–69. [DOI]
20. Mooventhan A, Nivethitha L. Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body. North Am J Med Sci. 2014;6(5):199. [DOI]
21. Becker BE, Hildenbrand K, Whitcomb RK, Sanders JP. Biophysiologic effects of warm water immersion. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. 2009;3(1). [DOI]
22. Fragala-Pinkham MA, Haley SM, O’Neil ME. Group swimming and aquatic exercise programme for children with autism spectrum disorders: a pilot study. Dev Neurorehabil. 2011;14(4):230–41. [DOI]
23. Yanardag M, Akmanoglu N, Yilmaz I. The effectiveness of video prompting on teaching aquatic play skills for children with autism. Disability and Rehabilitation. 2013;35(1):47–56. [DOI]
24. Mohamed SE. Effect of aquatic exercises approach (Halliwick-therapy) on motor skills for children with autism spectrum disorders. Science, Movement and Health. 2017;17(2):490–6.
25. Wilson KE. The effect of swimming exercise on amount and quality of sleep for children with autism spectrum disorder [Thesis for MSc]. [Akron, Ohio]: Williams Honors College, The University of Akron; 2019.
26. Oriel KN, Kanupka JW, DeLong KS, Noel K. The impact of aquatic exercise on sleep behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorder: a pilot study. Focus Autism Other Dev Disabl. 2016;31(4):254–61. [DOI]
27. Mische Lawson L, Little L. Feasibility of a swimming intervention to improve sleep behaviors of children with autism spectrum disorder. Therapeutic Recreation Journal. 2017;51(2):97–108. [DOI]
28. Adib Saber F, Shojaei M, Daneshfar A, Hossein Khanzadeh AA. Aquatic exercise on stereotypic behaviors and sleep habits in children with autism spectrum disorder. Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies. 2019;9:110. [Persian] [Article]
29. Azimigarosi S, Arjmandnia A, Mohseni Ezhei A, Asgari M. Effectiveness of hydrotherapy on communication skills of children with autism spectrum disorder: a single case study. J Child Ment Health. 2020;6(4):35–50. [Persian] [DOI]
30. Arjmandnia A, Azimigarosi S, Mohseni Ezhei A, Javadi Asayesh S. Effectiveness of hydrotherapy on the degree of aggression in children with autism spectrum disorder: a single-subject study. J Rehab Med. 2019;7(4):249–60. [Persian] [Article]
31. Uvnas-Moberg K, Petersson M. Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing. Z Psychosom Med Psychother. 2005;51(1):57–80. [DOI]
32. Uvnäs-Moberg K, Handlin L, Petersson M. Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation. Front Psychol. 2015;5:1529. [DOI]
33. Gilliam JE. GARS-2: Gilliam Autism Rating Scale. Second edition. Austin, TX: Pro-Ed; 2006.
34. Ahmadi SJ, Safari T, Hemmatian M, Khalili Z. The psychometric properties of Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS). Research in Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences. 2011;1(1):87–104. [Persian] [Article]
35. Owens JA, Spirito A, McGuinn M. The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ): psychometric properties of a survey instrument for school-aged children. Sleep. 2000;23(8):1043–51.
36. Chimeh N, Mohtashami T, Ofoghi H. The comparison of sleep behaviors in autistic and normal children. Journal of Exceptional Children. 2015;15(1):17–28. [Persian]
37. Grosse SJ. The Halliwick method: water freedom for individuals with disabilities. Milwaukee, US: Aquatic Consulting and Education Resource Services; 2001.
38. Ayazi R, Mirzakhani N, Rajaei S, Khalatbari J, Mohammadi Cheshme Gol SV. Sleep in children with autistic spectrum disorder. The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2017;6(1):226–33. [Persian] [Article]
39. Mehri M, Chehrzad MM, Elahi M, Ghanbari Khanghah A, Khousha M, Talebnia H, et al. Predictor Factors of sleep problems in school-age children with attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity. J Holist Nurs Midwifery. 2016;26(1):99–106. [Persian] [Article]
40. Wang G, Kawai M. Effect of temperature on elementary steps of the cross‐bridge cycle in rabbit soleus slow‐twitch muscle fibres. J Physiol. 2001;531(1):219–34. [DOI]
41. Becker BE, Hildenbrand K, Whitcomb RK, Sanders JP. Biophysiologic effects of warm water immersion. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. 2009;3(1). [DOI]
42. Petrofsky J, Baxter J, Bomgaars J, Burgert C, Jacobs S, Lyden D, et al. The influence of warm hydrotherapy on the cardiovascular system and muscle relaxation. [Loma Linda, California]: Department of Physical Therapy, Loma Linda University; 2003. [Article]
43. Auyeung B, Lombardo MV, Heinrichs M, Chakrabarti B, Sule A, Deakin JB, et al. Oxytocin increases eye contact during a real-time, naturalistic social interaction in males with and without autism. Transl Psychiatry. 2015;5(2):507. [DOI]
Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA
Send email to the article author

Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

© 2025 CC BY-NC 4.0 | Middle Eastern Journal of Disability Studies

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb