Hydrotherapy treatment for patients with psoriatic arthritis—A qualitative study

Purpose: To describe how patients living with psoriatic arthritis experience long-term hydrotherapy group treatment. Studies for this group of patients are lacking. Method: Qualitative interviews were conducted with ten informants after hydrotherapy treatment. The treatment included exercises for increased mobility, coordination, endurance, aerobic fitness, stretching and relaxation. The interviews were analysed with content analysis. Results: A theme “hydrotherapy—a multidimensional experience” and two categories emerged: situational factors and effects of hydrotherapy. The category “situational factors” comprised the subcategories: warm water, training factors and a competent instructor, and the category “effects of hydrotherapy” comprised the subcategories: psychological effects, improved physical capacity, social effects, changed pain experience and changes in work and participation in daily life. Conclusion: Positive effects of regular hydrotherapy in a group setting were shown in physical ability, energy, sleep, cognitive function, work and participation in daily life. The instructors had an important coaching role, which needs to be promoted.