Effect of an equine-movement therapy program on gait, energy expenditure, and motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot study.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week program of hippotherapy on energy expenditure during walking; on the gait dimensions of stride length, velocity, and cadence; and on performance on the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) in five children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). A repeated-measures within-subjects design was used consisting of two baseline measurements taken 8 weeks apart, followed by an 8-week intervention period, then a posttest. After hippotherapy, all five children showed a significant decrease (X2(r)=7.6, P<0.05) in energy expenditure during walking and a significant increase (X2(r)=7.6, P<0.05) in scores on Dimension E (Walking, Running, and Jumping) of the GMFM. A trend toward increased stride length and decreased cadence was observed. This study suggests that hippotherapy may improve energy expenditure during walking and gross motor function in children with CP.
Publication Date: 1999-01-09 PubMed ID: 9881805DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1998.tb12344.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research measured the impact of an eight-week course of hippotherapy (equine-assisted therapy) on the gait function, energy expenditure, and ability to perform gross motor skills in children suffering from spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Positive changes were noted in all measures after the therapy, including decreased energy expenditure during walking and improved scores in GMFM, a test designed to measure motor function.
Understanding the Research Objective
- The study’s primary objective was to examine the effects of hippotherapy, commonly known as horseback therapy, on five children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. The researchers were primarily interested in observing changes in the participants’ gait measurements, energy expenditure during walking, and their gross motor function.
Research Design and Methods
- The researchers employed a repeated-measures within-subjects study design. They gathered two baseline measurements from the participants over eight weeks before beginning the intervention.
- The intervention was an eight-week hippotherapy program, after which the researchers gathered post-test data.
Results of the Study
- The results demonstrated significant improvements in several areas after completing the hippotherapy program.
- All five children showed a considerable decrease in energy expenditure during walking, which means they were using less energy to accomplish the same task. This suggests that their walking process had become more efficient after the intervention.
- There was also a meaningful increase in scores on Dimension E (Walking, Running, and Jumping) of the Gross Motor Function Measure- a standardized test used to evaluate changes in gross motor function in children.
- As for gait dimensions, the results indicated a trend towards improved stride length and decreased cadence.
Research Findings and Implications
- This pilot study indicates that hippotherapy might offer benefits for children with spastic cerebral palsy, particularly in terms of energy efficiency during walking and improved gross motor function.
- While the results are promising, further research with a larger sample size and longer duration is needed for more concrete conclusions. The findings from this pilot study can form the basis for more extensive clinical trials in this area.
Cite This Article
APA
McGibbon NH, Andrade CK, Widener G, Cintas HL.
(1999).
Effect of an equine-movement therapy program on gait, energy expenditure, and motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy: a pilot study.
Dev Med Child Neurol, 40(11), 754-762.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8749.1998.tb12344.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Therapeutic Riding of Tucson, AZ, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cerebral Palsy / therapy
- Child
- Energy Metabolism
- Female
- Gait
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Motor Skills
- Physical Therapy Modalities / methods
- Pilot Projects
- Treatment Outcome
- Walking
Citations
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- Ali MS, Awad AS. Comparison of the efficacy of two interventions in ameliorating abdominal thickness and sitting function in children with diplegia.. J Taibah Univ Med Sci 2022 Aug;17(4):548-555.
- Lightsey P, Lee Y, Krenek N, Hur P. Physical therapy treatments incorporating equine movement: a pilot study exploring interactions between children with cerebral palsy and the horse.. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2021 Sep 6;18(1):132.
- Park S, Park S, Min S, Kim CJ, Jee YS. A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of Equine Simulator Riding on Low Back Pain, Morphological Changes, and Trunk Musculature in Elderly Women.. Medicina (Kaunas) 2020 Nov 13;56(11).
- Pálsdóttir AM, Gudmundsson M, Grahn P. Equine-Assisted Intervention to Improve Perceived Value of Everyday Occupations and Quality of Life in People with Lifelong Neurological Disorders: A Prospective Controlled Study.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Apr 3;17(7).
- Mutoh T, Mutoh T, Tsubone H, Takada M, Doumura M, Ihara M, Shimomura H, Taki Y, Ihara M. Impact of Long-Term Hippotherapy on the Walking Ability of Children With Cerebral Palsy and Quality of Life of Their Caregivers.. Front Neurol 2019;10:834.
- Kwon S, Sung IY, Ko EJ, Kim HS. Effects of Therapeutic Horseback Riding on Cognition and Language in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder or Intellectual Disability: A Preliminary Study.. Ann Rehabil Med 2019 Jun;43(3):279-288.
- Hemingway A, Carter S, Callaway A, Kavanagh E, Ellis S. An Exploration of the Mechanism of Action of an Equine-Assisted Intervention.. Animals (Basel) 2019 May 31;9(6).
- Žalienė L, Mockevičienė D, Kreivinienė B, Razbadauskas A, Kleiva Ž, Kirkutis A. Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Riding for Children with Cerebral Palsy Gross Motor Functions.. Biomed Res Int 2018;2018:4190249.
- Ryu K, Ali A, Kwon M, Lee C, Kim Y, Lee G, Kim J. Effects of assisted aquatic movement and horseback riding therapies on emotion and brain activation in patients with cerebral palsy.. J Phys Ther Sci 2016 Dec;28(12):3283-3287.
- Moraes AG, Copetti F, Angelo VR, Chiavoloni LL, David AC. The effects of hippotherapy on postural balance and functional ability in children with cerebral palsy.. J Phys Ther Sci 2016 Aug;28(8):2220-6.
- Jang CH, Joo MC, Noh SE, Lee SY, Lee DB, Lee SH, Kim HK, Park HI. Effects of Hippotherapy on Psychosocial Aspects in Children With Cerebral Palsy and Their Caregivers: A Pilot Study.. Ann Rehabil Med 2016 Apr;40(2):230-6.
- Kang KY. Effects of mechanical horseback riding on the balance ability of the elderly.. J Phys Ther Sci 2015 Aug;27(8):2499-500.
- Park ES, Rha DW, Shin JS, Kim S, Jung S. Effects of hippotherapy on gross motor function and functional performance of children with cerebral palsy.. Yonsei Med J 2014 Nov;55(6):1736-42.
- Lee CW, Kim SG, Na SS. The effects of hippotherapy and a horse riding simulator on the balance of children with cerebral palsy.. J Phys Ther Sci 2014 Mar;26(3):423-5.
- Han JY, Kim JM, Kim SK, Chung JS, Lee HC, Lim JK, Lee J, Park KY. Therapeutic effects of mechanical horseback riding on gait and balance ability in stroke patients.. Ann Rehabil Med 2012 Dec;36(6):762-9.
- Sunwoo H, Chang WH, Kwon JY, Kim TW, Lee JY, Kim YH. Hippotherapy in adult patients with chronic brain disorders: a pilot study.. Ann Rehabil Med 2012 Dec;36(6):756-61.
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