Between October 2003 and April 2004, 312 volunteers were screened.
Of these volunteers, 71 fulfilled the selection criteria and were enrolled in the study. Thirty six participants were randomly assigned to an aquatic physical therapy group
(intervention group), and 35 participants were randomly assigned to a control group. One aquatic physical therapy participant withdrew after randomization, did not undergo the intervention as allocated, and did not return for reassessment. Four control participants withdrew prior to
reassessment; however, 2 of them completed reassessment questionnaires only. All participants provided written informed consent.