Programming Aquatic Therapy for POTS (NCT07182578) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Programming Aquatic Therapy for POTS
United States5 participantsStarted 2025-09-12
Plain-language 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
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* 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 Criteria:
* 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.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
World Health Organization Quality of Life - Brief (WHOQOL-BREF)
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of 12 weeks of aquatic occupational therapy intervention
2
The DePaul Symptom Questionnaire (Short Form) (DSQ-SF)
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of 12 weeks of aquatic occupational therapy intervention.
3
Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of 12 weeks of aquatic occupational therapy intervention.
4
Malmo POTS Scale (MAPS)
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of 12 weeks of aquatic occupational therapy intervention
5
ADLS, IADLS, and Vestibular Questionnaire
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of 12 weeks of aquatic occupational therapy intervention
6
Active Stand Test
Timeframe: From enrollment until the end of treatment at 12 weeks
7
Single leg stance test
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07182578
SponsorCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills