Therapeutic effects of aquatic exercises on a boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Participation in physical activities benefits individuals with disabilities in terms of addressing their social and psychological needs in order for the purposes of quality living. This study reports the findings from a case study conducted with a boy who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in a swimming pool located in the campus of a private university in North Cyprus. The current study reports the adjustments made in the swimming pool in accordance with the needs of the participant, how service quality was increased to cater for these needs and in what ways the participant benefited from the aquatic program. This qualitative investigation aims to shed light onto how aquatic therapy has affected the boy with DMD physically, psychologically, and socially from the parents’ perspectives. The results revealed that aquatic therapy had beneficial effects on the participant with DMD in terms of socialization, relaxation, quality of life and self-perception.