Effect of a single session of Equine Assisted Physical Therapy on postural stability in children with Down syndrome.

Overview

• This study investigated whether a single session of Equine Assisted Physical Therapy (EAPT) can improve postural stability in children with Down syndrome (DS).
• Results showed some significant improvements in balance and stability measures immediately after the therapy session.

Background

• Equine Assisted Physiotherapy (EAPT), formerly known as hippotherapy, uses horseback riding to improve functional mobility, motor skills, and postural control.
• Children with Down syndrome often experience motor skill delays and balance issues, which can affect their quality of life.
• Although EAPT has been shown to improve these functions, it can be difficult to implement as a long-term treatment due to time, cost, or accessibility.
• This study aimed to test the immediate effects of just one EAPT session on postural stability, providing insight into its potential as a quick, beneficial therapy.

Methods

• Participants: Nine children diagnosed with Down syndrome.
• Intervention: Each child underwent a single EAPT session.
• Assessment metrics for postural stability included:
  • Bipedal stance measured by variability of lower trunk angular velocity (instrumented analysis).
  • One Leg Stance Test (duration a child can stand on one leg).
  • Semi-Tandem Stance Test (duration standing with one foot partially in front of the other).
  • Modified Functional Reach Test (distance a child can reach forward while maintaining balance).
• Comparisons of test results before and after the EAPT session were analyzed statistically using the Wilcoxon test, a non-parametric method suited for small sample sizes.

Results

• Most parameters showed a trend towards improvement after the therapy session.
• Specifically, the variability of angular velocity of the lower trunk in the sagittal plane (front-to-back movement) significantly decreased (p = 0.028), indicating improved stability in that plane.
• Semi-Tandem Stance Test duration significantly increased when the dominant leg was placed forward (p = 0.017), indicating better balance maintenance in this position.
• Other measures such as the One Leg Stance Test and Modified Functional Reach showed positive trends but did not reach statistical significance in this small sample.

Conclusions

• Equine Assisted Physical Therapy shows immediate beneficial effects on postural stability in children with Down syndrome even after only one session.
• This suggests that EAPT may be a valuable therapeutic option to improve balance and potentially functional mobility without the need for long-term intervention in some circumstances.
• Such positive outcomes could contribute to enhanced daily functioning and quality of life for children with developmental disorders like DS.
• However, given the small sample size, further research with larger groups is recommended to confirm these findings and explore long-term effects.