RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07182578

Programming Aquatic Therapy for POTS

Sponsor

California State University, Dominguez Hills

Enrollment

12 participants

Start Date

Sep 12, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Summary

The goal of this pilot study is to create, implement, and evaluate an aquatic therapy for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) program feasibility and ability to improve quality of life as determined by reduced orthostatic tachycardia, reduced POTS symptoms, and improved quality of life measures. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does aquatic occupational therapy reduce orthostatic tachycardia and POTS symptoms? Does aquatic occupational therapy lead to higher quality of live measures for people with POTS? Is this aquatic occupational therapy program feasible for clinicians and people with POTS? There is no comparison group for this pilot study. Participants will complete: An occupational Therapy evaluation before and after program completion (3 hours total) 30 minutes at home/remote 30 minutes on-site/in-person 30 minutes of individualized occupational therapy on land Participate in 3 aquatic therapy sessions per week, 60 minutes each for 12 weeks

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 65 Years

Inclusion Criteria1

Diagnosed with POTS, Age 18-64, Participants must be English speaking, participants must obtain a physician permission letter* * The physician letter will only state that the participant is cleared to participate in aquatic therapy, it will not confirm or state what disease the individual has in the medical records or other HIPAA information.

Exclusion Criteria6

Not diagnosed with POTS, Not between the ages of 18-64*, Epilepsym Bowel incontinence
*The reason for the age requirement is because individuals:
under 18 have different diagnostic criteria and mechanisms for POTS than the age range specified and may respond differently to treatment
over age 65 have different mechanisms behind POTS than younger individuals, and frequently have health conditions or factors that can be difficult to differentiate from POTS symptoms/diagnosis and would require lab work and continuous physician involvement. POTS is less common in older adults.
The typical age of onset for POTS is generally considered to be between the ages of 15-50 years of age
For participant's safety, the researcher needs to be able to communicate with them in the aquatic setting. English is the researcher's only language and electronic translators are not accessible/usable in the pool setting.

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Interventions

OTHERAquatic Occupational Therapy

Aquatic Occupational Therapy sessions will be 60 minutes long, with 45 minutes spent in the pool. Sessions will include a gentle floating, stretching, or aqua yoga warm-up and an ai chi cooldown. Exercises in the first month will include a focus on balance, breathing, and sensory work. Exercises in the second month will focus on building strength and endurance, while the third month will combine all of the above with dual-task completion. Activities will be graded down (made less difficult) or graded up (made more challenging) according to individual participant needs.