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Italian journal of pediatrics2024; 50(1); 188; doi: 10.1186/s13052-024-01715-9

Effects of hippotherapy on motor function of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review study.

Abstract: Cerebral palsy includes a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by brain damage, leading to impairment of movement, posture, and balance for a lifetime. There are many therapeutic interventions for cerebral palsy. One of them is hippotherapy, an alternative physical therapy. It is a type of equine-assisted activity and therapy where children with cerebral palsy and motor function skills interact with a horse. We aimed to study the effects of hippotherapy, as an alternative therapy, on the motor function of children with cerebral palsy. We performed a review of the latest literature on hippotherapy and cerebral palsy. The criteria we used were specific keywords, publication date, age of the subjects/studied population, and article type. The outcome of our research resulted in ten relevant studies. The findings demonstrate improvements in various aspects of motor function - more specifically in gross motor function skills, balance, coordination, gait parameters, and muscle strength. Two of ten studies used the Horse-Riding Simulator with significant improvements in postural control in sitting, motor function, and hip abduction range of motion. Hippotherapy can improve motor function skills of children between 2 and 14 years of age with cerebral palsy, affecting their well-being and overall quality of life. It can have a positive effect either as a standalone treatment or as a part of other traditional therapies. Extended research is needed to assess whether hippotherapy may present significant long-term changes in motor skills in children with cerebral palsy.
© 2024. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2024-09-19 PubMed ID: 39300490PubMed Central: PMC11414029DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01715-9Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Systematic Review

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.

Overview

  • This study reviews the effects of hippotherapy, an equine-assisted therapy, on the motor function of children with cerebral palsy.
  • The research compiles evidence from ten relevant studies showing that hippotherapy can improve motor skills such as balance, coordination, gait, and muscle strength in children aged 2 to 14 years with cerebral palsy.

Background

  • Cerebral palsy is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by brain damage that result in lifetime challenges with movement, posture, and balance.
  • Traditional physical therapies exist, but alternative interventions such as hippotherapy have gained attention for their potential benefits.
  • Hippotherapy involves therapeutic interaction between children and horses, using the horse’s movement to stimulate motor function improvements.

Aims and Methodology

  • The aim was to systematically review recent literature on the effects of hippotherapy on motor function in children with cerebral palsy.
  • Selection criteria for studies included specific keywords related to hippotherapy and cerebral palsy, publication date, the age group studied, and type of articles (likely focusing on clinical trials or controlled studies).
  • The review identified ten relevant studies for comprehensive analysis.

Key Findings

  • Improvements were noted across several motor function domains:
    • Gross motor function skills such as walking, running, and other large movements.
    • Balance and postural control, which are critical for stability and mobility.
    • Coordination, helping with the smooth and effective execution of movements.
    • Gait parameters, including stride length and walking ability.
    • Muscle strength, which supports improved motor function and control.
  • Two studies utilized a Horse-Riding Simulator, an alternative to actual horseback riding, showing significant improvements in:
    • Postural control while sitting.
    • Overall motor function.
    • Range of motion in specific joints such as hip abduction.

Implications

  • Hippotherapy shows potential as an effective treatment to enhance motor skills in children with cerebral palsy aged from 2 to 14 years.
  • The therapy can be used alone or combined with conventional physical therapies.
  • By improving motor function, hippotherapy may also positively impact the overall quality of life and well-being of affected children.

Limitations and Future Research

  • The current evidence is promising but still limited by the number of high-quality studies and variability in methodologies.
  • Long-term effects of hippotherapy on motor skills need to be assessed through extended follow-up studies.
  • Further research is recommended to validate findings and optimize therapy protocols in different cerebral palsy subtypes and severities.

Cite This Article

APA
(2024). Effects of hippotherapy on motor function of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review study. Ital J Pediatr, 50(1), 188. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13052-024-01715-9

Publication

Italian journal of pediatrics
ISSN: 1824-7288
NlmUniqueID: 101510759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 1
Pages: 188
PII: 188

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Cerebral Palsy / therapy
  • Cerebral Palsy / physiopathology
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy
  • Horses
  • Motor Skills / physiology
  • Treatment Outcome

Conflict of Interest Statement

No competing interests. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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