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Facilitation Techniques Utilized with Rheumy Wellness

Rheumy Wellness uses leisure education to facilitate beneficial physical activity for Rheumatoid Arthritis clients through the use of aquatic therapy (Austin, 2019).

Risk Mitigation

Rheumy Wellness is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace physician or Rheumatologist advice. Clients should receive clearance for physical activity from their family doctor and Rheumatologist before starting any physical activity and have no co-morbidities or contraindications to physical activity (Perez-Sousa et al., 2023). Clients must be able to keep their own head above water and mobilize to the pool to safely participate in aquatic exercise (Verhagen et al., 2012). 

 

Aquatic exercise is contraindicated for clients with: ​​

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  • Open wounds

  • Some skin conditions

  • Bowel incontinence

  • Disease transmissible by water

  • Hepatitis A

  • Unhealed open tracheotomies

  • Uncontrolled seizure

  • Unstable blood pressure

(Austin, 2019)

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Precaution and monitoring should occur for clients with:

  • ​Cardiac conditions

  • High/low blood pressure

  • Loss of sensation

  • Epilepsy

  • Body temperature regulation problems

  • Urinary tract infections

  • Bladder incontinence

  • Fear of water

(Austin, 2019)

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Limitations of Rheumy Wellness

Rheumy Wellness was created for the specific population of females between the ages of eighteen to eighty with Rheumatoid Arthritis and was based off of a research study that cautioned the application of the results to ages outside of that range, different genders, and other chronic pain conditions (Perez-Sousa et al., 2023). Further study is required with a larger sample size, an increased age range, and inclusion of all genders and chronic pain conditions for use outside of these parameters. 

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The Aquafit locator tool is based off of information and schedules for Aquafit facilities in the Greater Edmonton area. Rheumy Wellness cannot foresee closures or changes in schedule. Please always visit the facility website for current information. Rheumy Wellness will update the Aquafit locator tool periodically to keep information current and up to date.

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Currently the Aquafit locator tool is limited to the surrounding communities of Edmonton area (Leduc, Beaumont, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, and Sherwood Park), but in the future Rheumy Wellness hopes to add all Aquafit in the Edmonton Area to the tool.

Facilitators for Leisure Participation in Physical Activities for RA Clients

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  • Social benefits

  • Support from health care providers

  • Childcare

  • Timing

  • Self-efficacy

  • Taking personal responsibility

  • Instructor support

  • Class social support

  • Leisure Partner's

  • Easy Access

 

(Veldhuijzen van Zanten et al., 2015)

Aquafit has instructor support, class social support, and social benefits for clients (Perez-Sousa et al., 2023). By using Rheumy Wellness as a leisure education and a planning tool for therapeutic intervention you are proving health care provider support and helping the client to take personal responsibility for their health and improve self-efficacy. The Aquafit locator tool includes filter options for different timings of classes, facilities with childcare, and provides easy access to classes. For further inclusivity and leisure facilitation, the tool will also include filter options for universal washrooms, all gender classes, and anti-discrimination policies/statements for members of the LGBTQS+ community (Herrick et al., 2022).

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