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Home / Equine Research Bank / Appl Neuropsychol Child / Hippotherapy in neurodevelopmental disorders: a narrative re...
Applied neuropsychology. Child2020; 11(3); 553-560; doi: 10.1080/21622965.2020.1852084

Hippotherapy in neurodevelopmental disorders: a narrative review focusing on cognitive and behavioral outcomes.

Abstract: Hippotherapy (HT) is a rehabilitative tool inducing psychological and motor improvements using human-horse interaction. HT provides sensory stimulation to the rider through the rhythmic and repetitive movements of the horse, facilitating communication between patients and healthcare professionals, favoring the establishment of a therapeutic alliance. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the effects of HT treatment on cognitive-behavioral processes in neurodevelopmental disorders. We screened studies published between 2002 and 2020 on PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Sciences databases. The search combined the following terms: "hippotherapy"; "horseback riding"; "equine-assisted therapy"; "developmental disorder"; "autism spectrum disorder"; "dyspraxia"; "infantile cerebral palsy"; and "attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder". This review shows that HT can be a valuable tool for the treatment of developmental disorders. The psychological, cognitive and relational areas could benefit from the animal-child interaction to promote child autonomy, self-esteem, self-efficacy and openness to others. Physical, motor and psychosocial benefits were found in adolescents with anxiety and/or depression disorders, in autism spectrum disorders, dyspraxia, as well as in infantile cerebral palsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. HT could be considered an alternative therapeutic tool thanks to the relationship between patient-horse-instructor and to the sensory-motor and cognitive stimulation that enforce learning processes.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-01 PubMed ID: 33949903DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2020.1852084Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • 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.

This research review article explores how hippotherapy, a treatment involving horse-human interaction, can positively impact cognitive and behavioral processes in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Introduction

  • Hippotherapy (HT) is introduced as a rehabilitation tool. Around for several years, it’s been gaining significant traction across various health domains. By using horses in treatment, therapists can help foster a different level of interaction between patients and healthcare professionals. The horse’s rhythmic and repetitive movements provide sensory stimulation which forms the basis of this therapy.

Purpose and Methodology

  • The main objective of the review is to evaluate the effect of HT on cognitive and behavioral processes in patients suffering from neurodevelopmental disorders. Specific disorders examined include autism spectrum disorder, dyspraxia, infantile cerebral palsy, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
  • To aggregate the necessary data for the review, the authors mined studies published between 2002 and 2020. Various reliable databases like PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Sciences were used for the investigation.

Results and Findings

  • The review demonstrates that HT presents a potential tool in treating developmental disorders. The animal-child interaction through HT could significantly boost child autonomy, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and the ability to open up to others. It particularly focuses on psychological, cognitive, and relational domains.
  • Physical, motor, and psychosocial benefits were found in adolescents with anxiety and/or depression disorders. Equally positive results were recorded for autism spectrum disorders, dyspraxia, infantile cerebral palsy, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The horse-patient-instructor relationship and the sensory-motor and cognitive stimulation appear to play an essential role in enforcing learning processes.

Conclusion

  • In conclusion, the study proposes HT as an alternative therapeutic tool for treating neurodevelopmental disorders. It is not just the interaction with the horse that is beneficial, but also the resulting sensory, motor, and cognitive stimulation that contributes to the treatment’s efficacy.

Cite This Article

APA
(2020). Hippotherapy in neurodevelopmental disorders: a narrative review focusing on cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Appl Neuropsychol Child, 11(3), 553-560. https://doi.org/10.1080/21622965.2020.1852084

Publication

Applied neuropsychology. Child
ISSN: 2162-2973
NlmUniqueID: 101584990
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 3
Pages: 553-560

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / therapy
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Cognition
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / therapy

Citations

This article has been cited 13 times.
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  6. Amado-Fuentes M, Gozalo M, Garcia-Gomez A, Barrios-Fernandez S. Impact of Equine-Assisted Interventions on Heart Rate Variability in Two Participants with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Pilot Study. Children (Basel) 2021 Nov 22;8(11).
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    pubmed: 37387702
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