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Developmental medicine and child neurology1999; 40(11); 754-762; doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1998.tb12344.x

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.
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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

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 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

Developmental medicine and child neurology
ISSN: 0012-1622
NlmUniqueID: 0006761
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 40
Issue: 11
Pages: 754-762

Researcher Affiliations

McGibbon, N H
  • Therapeutic Riding of Tucson, AZ, USA.
Andrade, C K
    Widener, G
      Cintas, H L

        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

        This article has been cited 21 times.
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