Evaluation of therapeutic riding (Sweden)/hippotherapy (United States). A single-subject experimental design study replicated in eleven patients with multiple sclerosis.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate whether therapeutic riding (TR, Sweden) hippotherapy (HT, United States) may affect balance, gait, spasticity, functional strength, coordination, pain, self-rated level of muscle tension (SRLMT), activities of daily living (ADL), and health-related quality of life. Eleven patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were studied in a single-subject experimental design iSSED) study, type A-B-A. The intervention comprised ten weekly TR/HT sessions of 30 minutes each. The subjects were measured a maximum of 13 times. Physical tests were: the Berg balance scale, talking a figure of eight, the timed up and go test, 10 m walking, the modified Ashworth scale, the Index of Muscle Function, the Birgitta Lindmark motor assessment, part B, and individual measurements. Self-rated measures were. the Visual Analog Scale for pain, a scale for SRLMT, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale for ADL, and the SF-36. Data were analyzed visually, semi-statistically and considering clinical significance. Results showed improvement for ten subjects in one or more of the variables, particularly balance, and some improvements were also seen in pain, muscle tension, and ADL. Changes in SF-36 were mostly positive, with an improvement in Role-Emotional seen in eight patients. Conclusively, balance and Role-Emotional were the variables most often improved, but TR/HT appeared to benefit the subjects differently.
Publication Date: 2006-01-03 PubMed ID: 16385943DOI: 10.1080/09593980590911525Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Clinical Trial
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research study analyzed whether therapeutic riding and hippotherapy had effects on various physical and mental attributes in patients with multiple sclerosis. Findings indicated that the therapy sessions generally benefited the patients, particularly in terms of balance improvement and emotional well-being.
Research Methodology
The study used a single-subject experimental design, replicated across 11 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Each patient underwent therapeutic riding (denoted as ‘TR’ in Sweden) and hippotherapy (denoted as ‘HT’ in the United States) sessions. The therapy program consisted of:
- 10 weekly sessions, each lasting for 30 minutes.
Multiple measurements were taken for a maximum of 13 times during this period, with different types of physical and self-rated tests:
- Physical tests included the Berg balance scale, a figure of eight walking test, the timed up and go test, 10 m walking test, the modified Ashworth scale for muscle spasticity, the Index of Muscle Function for functional strength, motor assessment, and more.
- Self-rated measurements consisted of the Visual Analog Scale for pain, a scale for self-rated level of muscle tension, the Patient-Specific Functional Scale for daily living activities, and the SF-36 for health-related quality of life.
Data Analysis and Results
Data were studied visually and semi-statistically, in addition to being weighed according to clinical significance. Ten out of 11 subjects displayed improvement in one or more variables. More specifically:
- Balance showed substantial improvement, thus suggesting the therapy’s possible beneficial effects on this aspect of bodily control.
- Positive changes were also seen in terms of pain, muscle tension, and activities of daily living, indicating enhanced overall functionality and well-being.
- Furthermore, evaluation of the SF-36 data showed mostly positive change. Notably, eight patients recorded improvement in the Role-Emotional aspect, pointing to possible mental health benefits of the therapy.
Conclusion
The most consistent improvements were found in balance and role-emotional aspects, suggesting the primary benefits of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy lie in these areas. However, it’s notable that the therapy’s effects varied from patient to patient.
Cite This Article
APA
Hammer A, Nilsagård Y, Forsberg A, Pepa H, Skargren E, Oberg B.
(2006).
Evaluation of therapeutic riding (Sweden)/hippotherapy (United States). A single-subject experimental design study replicated in eleven patients with multiple sclerosis.
Physiother Theory Pract, 21(1), 51-77.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09593980590911525 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Orebro University Hospital, S-701 85 Orebro, Sweden. ann.hammer@orebroll.se
MeSH Terms
- Activities of Daily Living
- Adult
- Animals
- Ataxia / etiology
- Ataxia / prevention & control
- Female
- Gait / physiology
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multiple Sclerosis / complications
- Multiple Sclerosis / physiopathology
- Multiple Sclerosis / rehabilitation
- Muscle Spasticity / etiology
- Muscle Spasticity / prevention & control
- Muscle Weakness / etiology
- Muscle Weakness / prevention & control
- Physical Therapy Modalities
- Postural Balance / physiology
- Quality of Life
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
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- Badin L, Alibran É, Pothier K, Bailly N. Effects of equine-assisted interventions on older adults' health: A systematic review.. Int J Nurs Sci 2022 Oct;9(4):542-552.
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