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Developmental medicine and child neurology2007; 49(1); 68-73; doi: 10.1017/s0012162207000175.x

Does horseback riding therapy or therapist-directed hippotherapy rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy?

Abstract: Quantitative (not qualitative) studies were sought investigating whether horseback riding used as therapy improves gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Eleven published studies on instructor-directed, recreational horseback riding therapy (HBRT) and licensed-therapist-directed hippotherapy were identified, reviewed, and summarized for research design, methodological quality, therapy regimen, internal/external validity, results, and authors'conclusions. Methodological quality was moderate to good for all studies; some studies were limited by small sample size or lack of non-riding controls. HBRT improved gross motor function in five of six studies (one study was inconclusive); hippotherapy improved gross motor function in all five studies. The studies found that during HBRT and hippotherapy: (1) the three-dimensional, reciprocal movement of the walking horse produced normalized pelvic movement in the rider, closely resembling pelvic movement during ambulation in individuals without disability; (2) the sensation of smooth, rhythmical movements made by the horse improved co-contraction, joint stability, and weight shift, as well as postural and equilibrium responses; and (3) that HBRT and hippotherapy improved dynamic postural stabilization, recovery from perturbations, and anticipatory and feedback postural control. The evidence suggests that HBRT and hippotherapy are individually efficacious, and are both medically indicated as therapy for gross motor rehabilitation in children with CP. Recommendations for future research are discussed.
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Publication Date: 2007-01-11 PubMed ID: 17209981DOI: 10.1017/s0012162207000175.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research is about the effectiveness of horseback riding therapy and hippotherapy in helping children with cerebral palsy improve their gross motor function.

Study Selection and Analysis

The research involved studying quantitative data from previous studies regarding horseback riding therapy, specifically instructor-directed recreational horseback riding therapy (HBRT) and licensed-therapist-directed hippotherapy. The researchers found such 11 studies and analyzed their design, methodology, therapy regimen, validity, results, and conclusions.

  • HBRT involves recreational horseback riding directed by an instructor for therapeutic purposes.
  • Hippotherapy is a physiotherapy treatment method that harnesses the movements of a horse to achieve specific rehabilitative goals.

Evaluation of the Methodological Quality

The researchers evaluated the methodological quality considering the size of the sample and the presence or absence of non-riding control groups. The quality ranged from moderate to good across the studies, but there were some limitations related to small sample size and lack of control groups in some studies.

Results and Findings

  • The studies revealed that HBRT improved the gross motor function in five out of six studies. One study was inconclusive.
  • All five studies that examined hippotherapy concluded that it improved gross motor function.
  • The studies suggested that riding a horse offers a three-dimensional, reciprocal movement that can normalize the movement of the rider’s pelvis, similar to that in individuals without a disability when walking.
  • The sensation of the horse’s rhythmic smooth movement improved co-contraction, joint stability, and weight shift, as well as postural and equilibrium responses.
  • Both HBRT and hippotherapy were concluded to enhance dynamic postural stabilization, recovery from perturbations, and the anticipatory and feedback aspects of postural control.

Recommendations

The researchers conclude from the study evidence that both HBRT and hippotherapy have individual efficacy for gross motor rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy. They further discuss recommendations for future research to advance the field.

Cite This Article

APA
Sterba JA. (2007). Does horseback riding therapy or therapist-directed hippotherapy rehabilitate children with cerebral palsy? Dev Med Child Neurol, 49(1), 68-73. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0012162207000175.x

Publication

Developmental medicine and child neurology
ISSN: 0012-1622
NlmUniqueID: 0006761
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 1
Pages: 68-73

Researcher Affiliations

Sterba, John A
  • Research Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation, Robert Warner Rehabilitation Center, Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, NY, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation
  • Child
  • Exercise Therapy / methods
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Professional-Patient Relations
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Recreation
  • Teaching
  • Treatment Outcome

Citations

This article has been cited 34 times.
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