A Cochrane review included 13 studies with a total of 1190 subjects. The mean aquatic exercise duration was 12 weeks. Meta-analysis of 12 trials showed that aquatic exercise caused a small short term improvement compared to control in pain (SMD −0.31, 95% CI −0.47 to −0.15; 12 trials, 1076 participants) and disability (SMD −0.32, 95% CI −0.47 to −0.17; 12 trials, 1059 participants). Ten trials showed a small effect on quality of life (QoL) (SMD −0.25, 95% CI −0.49 to −0.01; 10 trials, 971 participants).
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (blinding of personnel).