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Disability and rehabilitation2011; 34(4); 279-287; doi: 10.3109/09638288.2011.605919

Effect of equestrian therapy and onotherapy in physical and psycho-social performances of adults with intellectual disability: a preliminary study of evaluation tools based on the ICF classification.

Abstract: To assess the effects of equestrian rehabilitation (ER) and onotherapy (Ono) on physical and psycho-social performances of subjects affected by intellectual disability (ID), and to develop a measurement tool based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health-Children and Youth (ICF-CY). Methods: A tool based on the ICF-CY classification was designed to evaluate subjects undergoing equine rehabilitation within a bio-psychosocial approach. A simplified version of this evaluation form was developed for the equestrian instructors. The agreement between the two tools was evaluated with the Cohen's κ coefficient. Treatment benefits were evaluated in the different areas covered by the evaluation tool. Results: A general improvement in the autonomy and social integration of subjects with ID undergoing horse and donkey therapy was observed. ER and Ono produced maximum benefits respectively at six and 3 months in the large majority of patients, and benefits persisted over time. Although the agreement between the two tools proposed was rather slight, both evaluation groups measured similar improvements in subjects undergoing equine rehabilitation. Conclusions: There is an improvement in autonomy and social integration for subjects with ID, undergoing horse and donkey therapy. Ono emerged as a suitable and effective alternative to equestrian therapy. The simplified measurement tool proved to be sensitive and easy to apply, even if further improvements will be necessary.
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Publication Date: 2011-10-12 PubMed ID: 21988646DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2011.605919Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Evaluation Study
  • 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 evaluated the effects of equestrian rehabilitation and onotherapy, a form of therapy using donkeys, on the physical and psycho-social capabilities of adults with intellectual disabilities. The authors developed an evaluation tool based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health-Children and Youth and noted improvements in subject autonomy and social integration.

Methods

  • The researchers designed an evaluation tool based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health-Children and Youth (ICF-CY) classification to evaluate subjects undergoing equine (horse) rehabilitation.
  • A simplified version of this evaluation form was also developed for the equestrian instructors to use, thereby reducing bias and error in evaluations.
  • The Cohen’s κ coefficient was used to measure the agreement between the two evaluation methods. This provided a measure of how well the two independent evaluation methods were able to capture the same results.

Results

  • From the study, it was observed that subjects with Intellectual Disability (ID) who underwent therapy with horses and donkeys showed general improvements in their capabilities concerning autonomy and social integration. This suggests that these therapies may help ID individuals live more independent lives and effectively interact within society.
  • The benefits from Equestrian Rehabilitation (ER) and Onotherapy (Ono) were observed to peak at six and three months respectively. Thus, it appears that the therapies may have a relatively long-term impact on physical and psycho-social performances of subjects with ID.
  • Even though the agreement between the two evaluation tools was minor, both tools measured similar improvements in subjects undergoing <a href="/equine-rehabilitation-guide/" title="Equine Rehabilitation Programs: What to Expect When Your Horse is Recovering – [Guide]”>equine rehabilitation. This suggests that the measurement tools were effectively capturing the subjects’ improvements.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that horse and donkey therapy improves the autonomy and social integration in subjects with ID.
  • Onotherapy (using donkeys) was shown to be an effective alternative to equestrian rehabilitation (using horses).
  • Finally, the simplified measurement tool proved to be sensitive and easy to apply, demonstrating that it could be successfully used in evaluations. However, the study acknowledges that the tool may need further enhancements for greater effectiveness.

Cite This Article

APA
Borioni N, Marinaro P, Celestini S, Del Sole F, Magro R, Zoppi D, Mattei F, Dall' Armi V, Mazzarella F, Cesario A, Bonassi S. (2011). Effect of equestrian therapy and onotherapy in physical and psycho-social performances of adults with intellectual disability: a preliminary study of evaluation tools based on the ICF classification. Disabil Rehabil, 34(4), 279-287. https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2011.605919

Publication

Disability and rehabilitation
ISSN: 1464-5165
NlmUniqueID: 9207179
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 4
Pages: 279-287

Researcher Affiliations

Borioni, Nicoletta
  • Rehabilitation Centre Villa Buon Respiro, Viterbo, Italy.
Marinaro, Paola
    Celestini, Silvia
      Del Sole, Flavia
        Magro, Rachele
          Zoppi, Daniela
            Mattei, Francesca
              Dall' Armi, Valentina
                Mazzarella, Federica
                  Cesario, Alfredo
                    Bonassi, Stefano

                      MeSH Terms

                      • Activities of Daily Living
                      • Adult
                      • Disability Evaluation
                      • Persons with Disabilities / psychology
                      • Persons with Disabilities / rehabilitation
                      • Equine-Assisted Therapy
                      • Female
                      • Health Status Indicators
                      • Humans
                      • Intellectual Disability / psychology
                      • Intellectual Disability / rehabilitation
                      • Intellectual Disability / therapy
                      • International Classification of Diseases
                      • Male
                      • Middle Aged
                      • Reproducibility of Results
                      • Social Behavior
                      • Surveys and Questionnaires

                      Citations

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