Pengaruh Hydrotherapy Untuk Mengatasi Keluhan Nyeri, Kemampuan Fungsional, Dan Kualitas Hidup Osteoarthritis Genu: Narrative Literature Review

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition commonly affecting adult and elderly populations, characterized by pain, stiffness, and decreased knee joint function. Hydrotherapy is widely used as a physiotherapy modality because the physical properties of water reduce axial joint loading and improve exercise tolerance in patients with knee OA. Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively review the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in reducing pain, improving physical function, and enhancing quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: This study employed a narrative literature review approach. Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, PEDro, and Google Scholar databases for articles published between 2015 and 2025. From a total of 4,706 identified articles, a selection process based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in 10 Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) studies for further analysis. Results: The findings indicate that hydrotherapy consistently produced significant pain reduction, as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Improvements in physical function were demonstrated by enhanced WOMAC and KOOS scores, as well as increased mobility assessed through functional tests such as the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Five Times Sit-to-Stand (5STS), and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Improvements in quality of life, particularly in physical and mental health domains, were also reported in most studies, with some effects persisting for several months after the intervention. Conclusion: Hydrotherapy is proven to be effective in reducing pain, improving physical function, and enhancing quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This intervention is safe and demonstrates comparable or superior effectiveness to land-based exercise, making it a recommended component of comprehensive, evidence-based physiotherapy management for knee osteoarthritis.