Effects of hippotherapy on people with cerebral palsy from the users’ perspective: a qualitative study.
Abstract: Although there is now some evidence for specific effects of hippotherapy on people with cerebral palsy, these studies fail to provide a comprehensive picture of the effects of hippotherapy. This was the first qualitative study to explore the hippotherapy experience of people with cerebral palsy from a user perspective. The effects of hippotherapy and their context were of particular interest. Seventeen users aged from 4 to 63, with or without their parents, participated in focus groups or individual interviews in six centres in Britain and in Germany. The main effects of hippotherapy, as identified by users and parents, are normalisation of muscle tone, improved trunk control, improved walking ability, carryover effects of hippotherapy to activities of daily living, and increased self-efficacy, confidence, and self-esteem. This study provided unique and new insights into the context in which hippotherapy happens, as well as its effects on impairment, activity, participation, and quality of life in people with cerebral palsy. The study's findings are integrated with the existing literature on motor learning and pedagogy to try to explain the complex effects of hippotherapy as reported by users and parents. A conceptual framework that illustrates these effects and their interactions is introduced.
Publication Date: 2009-04-23 PubMed ID: 19384737DOI: 10.1080/09593980902776662Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Multicenter Study
Summary
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The research article explores the impacts of hippotherapy (therapy using horse riding) on individuals with cerebral palsy from a user-based viewpoint. The study found that hippotherapy led to improvements in muscle tone, motor control, walking ability, daily living activities, confidence, and self-esteem for participants.
Research Methodology
- This study employed a qualitative approach to understanding the effects of hippotherapy on individuals with cerebral palsy, centering on participants’ personal experiences and perspectives.
- Seventeen participants ranging from 4 to 63 years of age were involved in the study. Some were accompanied by their parents. They participated in focus groups or individual interviews at six centres in Britain and Germany.
Findings of the Study
- A significant finding from the research was the range of benefits that hippotherapy offered to people with cerebral palsy. These included normalisation of muscle tone, enhanced balance and control of the trunk, improved walking ability, and carryover effects to daily activities.
- The participants and parents also reported a boost in self-efficacy, confidence, and self-esteem, all of which contribute to enhanced participation and improved quality of life.
- The study also provided valuable insights into the context in which hippotherapy occurs, revealing its multifaceted impact on different areas such as impairment level, daily activity, and participatory possibilities.
Integration with Existing Research
- The findings from the study were integrated with the existing literature on motor learning and pedagogy. This integration was essential in understanding and explaining the complex effects of hippotherapy as reported by participants and parents.
- The authors of the study introduced a conceptual framework illustrating these effects and their interactions. This has the potential to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the transformations that individuals with cerebral palsy might undergo due to hippotherapy.
Conclusion
- The research provides a comprehensive and human-centric understanding of the benefits of hippotherapy for individuals with cerebral palsy. The findings can be instrumental in designing effective therapeutic strategies and understanding the potential of animal-assisted therapies for improving the quality of life among persons with disabilities.
Cite This Article
APA
Debuse D, Gibb C, Chandler C.
(2009).
Effects of hippotherapy on people with cerebral palsy from the users’ perspective: a qualitative study.
Physiother Theory Pract, 25(3), 174-192.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09593980902776662 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Health Community and Education Studies, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. dorothee.debuse@northumbria.ac.uk
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cohort Studies
- Female
- Focus Groups
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Motor Skills
- Patient Satisfaction
- Physical Therapy Modalities
- Quality of Life
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 11 times.- 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.
- Panzera M, Alberghina D, Statelli A. Ethological and Physiological Parameters Assessment in Donkeys Used in Animal Assisted Interventions.. Animals (Basel) 2020 Oct 13;10(10).
- Matusiak-Wieczorek E, Dziankowska-Zaborszczyk E, Synder M, Borowski A. The Influence of Hippotherapy on the Body Posture in a Sitting Position among Children with Cerebral Palsy.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Sep 19;17(18).
- Boyd L, le Roux M. 'When he's up there he's just happy and content': Parents' perceptions of therapeutic horseback riding.. Afr J Disabil 2017;6:307.
- Lee DK, Kim EK. The influence of horseback riding training on the physical function and psychological problems of stroke patients.. J Phys Ther Sci 2015 Sep;27(9):2739-41.
- Kim SR, Cho SH, Kim JW, Lee HC, Brienen M, Cho BJ. Effects of horseback riding exercise therapy on background electroencephalograms of elderly people.. J Phys Ther Sci 2015 Jul;27(7):2373-6.
- Cho SH, Kim JW, Kim SR, Cho BJ. Effects of horseback riding exercise therapy on hormone levels in elderly persons.. J Phys Ther Sci 2015 Jul;27(7):2271-3.
- 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.
- Baek IH, Kim BJ. The effects of horse riding simulation training on stroke patients' balance ability and abdominal muscle thickness changes.. J Phys Ther Sci 2014 Aug;26(8):1293-6.
- 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.
- Lemke D, Rothwell E, Newcomb TM, Swoboda KJ. Perceptions of equine-assisted activities and therapies by parents and children with spinal muscular atrophy.. Pediatr Phys Ther 2014 Summer;26(2):237-44.
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