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Rheumatology international2023; 43(12); 2185-2191; doi: 10.1007/s00296-023-05451-x

Evaluating the efficacy of hippotherapy: a promising intervention in rheumatology, pain medicine, and geriatrics.

Abstract: Using animals for medical care has a long history. Animals have long been recognized for their ability to improve human health and well-being throughout nations and civilizations. Animal-assisted therapy is a concept that incorporates intentional and regulated interactions between individuals and animals to achieve therapeutic aims. Hippotherapy is an animal-assisted therapy consisting of medical procedures and practices that use horses to restore and enhance physical and mental health. The effectiveness of hippotherapy is evidenced by its ability to have a favorable influence on various domains, encompassing physical, psychosocial, and educational aspects. This multifaceted method entails the active involvement of the sensory, musculoskeletal, vestibular, and visual systems. Hippotherapy is an unconventional modality, leveraging horses' cyclic and repetitive motions to activate the postural reflex structures of individuals. Various studies have mostly focused on determining the efficacy of hippotherapy in the context of neurological conditions, neuro-rehabilitation, and psychiatric disorders. The primary objective of this study was to present the effectiveness of hippotherapy in the fields of rheumatology, pain medicine, and geriatrics. In addition, we provided a summary of the potential underlying mechanisms of hippotherapy. Finally, we conducted a comparison of hippotherapy and horse riding simulator interventions to provide their respective strengths and restrictions.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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Publication Date: 2023-09-12 PubMed ID: 37700080PubMed Central: 10407579DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05451-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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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 article explores the therapeutic use of horses, known as hippotherapy, in the fields of rheumatology, pain medicine, and geriatrics. It delves into the efficacy and potential underlying mechanisms of this alternative treatment modality and also compares its effectiveness with horse riding simulator interventions.

Understanding Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy is a form of animal-assisted therapy that utilizes horses to improve physical and mental health. This method involves engagement of various bodily systems including the sensory, musculoskeletal, vestibular, and visual systems. The inherent, repetitive movements of a horse are utilized to stimulate and activate the postural reflex mechanisms of individuals participating in the therapy.

  • The use of horses in therapy is an unconventional approach, leveraged for its multi-dimensional benefits including physical, psychosocial, and educational.
  • Previous studies have primarily examined the effectiveness of hippotherapy in the contexts of neurological conditions and psychiatric disorders.

The Study’s Objective

The primary goal of this study was to broaden the understanding and utility of hippotherapy to the fields of rheumatology, pain medicine, and geriatrics.

  • It aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of this alternative therapy in these new contexts and to outline the potential underlying mechanisms facilitating its effectiveness.

Comparison of Hippotherapy and Horse Riding Simulators

As part of the study, a comparison was also conducted between actual hippotherapy and its technological counterpart, the horse riding simulator.

  • The study sought to highlight the distinct strengths and limitations inherent in both the intervention methods, thereby providing a holistic and comprehensive evaluation of hippotherapy as a therapeutic treatment option.

Cite This Article

APA
(2023). Evaluating the efficacy of hippotherapy: a promising intervention in rheumatology, pain medicine, and geriatrics. Rheumatol Int, 43(12), 2185-2191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-023-05451-x

Publication

Rheumatology international
ISSN: 1437-160X
NlmUniqueID: 8206885
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 12
Pages: 2185-2191

Researcher Affiliations

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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