Adapted Sailing Therapy

Systematic reviews document consistent improvements in psychological well-being, quality of life, physical function, self-efficacy, and social integration across diverse clinical populations following sailing-based interventions. The sailing phase in PaS2-EXTEND runs 5 consecutive days with approximately 20 hours of active sailing across days 1–4. A prior single-arm pilot study in eight adolescents with RSDs demonstrated 100% retention and adherence, zero serious adverse events, and preliminary improvements in proprioception, postural control, and quality of life. Adapted sailing integrates dynamic postural control, whole-body coordination, upper extremity strengthening, aerobic conditioning, and teamwork within an ecologically valid aquatic environment. Adapted sailing satisfies Self-Determination Theory's three core psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness — thereby enhancing intrinsic motivation. Safety protocols at both sailing sites include continuous medical supervision by emergency medical technicians, real-time weather monitoring, and pre-specified cancellation thresholds. Benefits from the prior sailing pilot showed concerning attenuation at 3-month fol…