Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio) / Rheumatic disease is estimated to be one of the most disabling diseases in South Africa and the world. The most common rheumatic diseases are osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and systemic lupus erythematosus. The symptoms of the disease include pain, stiffness, swelling, decreased function. The patient’s functional abilities are severely affected by the pain which in turn, leads to poor quality of life and adverse stress. As a result patients who suffer with one or with a combination of rheumatic disease will experience pain, stress, decreased functional abilities and poor quality of life. The physical properties of water and the therapeutic effects of hydrotherapy, make hydrotherapy an effective form of exercise available to physiotherapists in the treatment of rheumatic disease. The aim of the current study was to determine the effects of a hydrotherapy intervention on the pain, stress, quality of life and functional abilities in patients with rheumatic disease. A quantitative and qualitative research design was employed to meet the objectives. The quantitative aspect involved an A-B-A design and the qualitative part of the study compromised indepth interviews which took place after the intervention. The instruments used were the WHOQOL-BREF instrument, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Weekly Stress Inventory-Short Form (WSI-SF) and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. (HAQ). The sample consisted of 19 patients who were diagnosed with one or a combination of rheumatic disease. The study was conducted at the hydrotherapy pool at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. Within the study sample, the majority of the participants were female (84%) with osteoarthritis being common among the participants (53%). The mean age was 60 years. The intervention had a significant impact on pain reduction (p = 0.0001), quality of life (p<0.05). However, the impact of hydrotherapy on stress and the social relationship domain in quality of life was inconclusive. It is thus evident from this study that hydrotherapy as a treatment modality for physiotherapists can be used to impact on the pain, quality of life and functional abilities in patients with rheumatic disease. iv Keywords