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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Environ Res Public Health / Parental Perception of Changes in Basic Life Needs of Childr...
International journal of environmental research and public health2020; 17(4); 1213; doi: 10.3390/ijerph17041213

Parental Perception of Changes in Basic Life Needs of Children with Disabilities after Six Months of Therapeutic Horseback Riding: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract: Therapeutic horseback riding (THR) has a positive effect on the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning of children with disabilities. Parents' reports of the effects of THR on their children support professionals in individualizing the THR program. With this qualitative study, we aimed to explore parents' perceptions of changes in the basic life needs of their children with disabilities after six months of THR lessons and to survey parents' explanations for the causes of these changes. The study involved parents of 13 children with disabilities who were enrolled in a six-month THR program. Parents continuously monitored their children and wrote a report on possible changes in their child's needs according to Virginia Henderson's need theory. Qualitative content analysis of parents' reports indicated only positive changes in 11 children. Most codes were identified in categories "relationships and communication with other people" and "movement and posturing". Other categories identified codes such as easier breathing, a better quality of sleep, better appetite, better elimination of stool and urine, more independence in clothing and maintaining personal hygiene, and greater interest in play and learning. Parents' reports are further supported by the assessments of professionals. Most parents think THR is responsible for the noticeable improvements in their children's quality of life.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-13 PubMed ID: 32069999PubMed Central: PMC7068330DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041213Google 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.

This research article explores the perceptions of parents regarding the impact of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) on children with disabilities after six months of participation. The results suggest that parents found an overall positive improvement in their child’s quality of life due to the THR program.

Research Objective

  • The aim of this qualitative study was to examine the experiences and observations of parents whose children with disabilities have undergone six months of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR). The researchers wanted to gain insight into the changes in the children’s basic life needs following their involvement in the THR program.

Methodology

  • The study included parents of 13 children with disabilities who were enrolled in a six-month long THR program. The parents were required to keep track of their children’s progress and share observations based on Virginia Henderson’s need theory.
  • The data for this study was collected via qualitative content analysis of parents’ reports and observations, focusing primarily on any changes observed in their children due to the THR program.

Results

  • The findings of the study revealed that 11 out of 13 children were reported to have experienced positive changes. The most frequent changes reported were found in two categories: ‘relationships and communication with other people’ and ‘movement and posturing’.
  • Other observed improvements include easier breathing, better sleep quality, improved appetite, better elimination of stool and urine, more independence in dressing and maintaining personal hygiene, as well as increased interest in play and learning.
  • All observations provided by the parents were supported by professional assessments, thus validating the parents’ claims.

Conclusion

  • Parents overwhelmingly attributed these noticeable improvements in their children’s lives to the THR program. This suggests that such intervention could be a potentially beneficial therapy for children with disabilities, given its observed effects on physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning.

Cite This Article

APA
Lovrić R, Farčić N, Mikšić Š, Gvozdanović Debeljak A. (2020). Parental Perception of Changes in Basic Life Needs of Children with Disabilities after Six Months of Therapeutic Horseback Riding: A Qualitative Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(4), 1213. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041213

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 4
PII: 1213

Researcher Affiliations

Lovrić, Robert
  • Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31 000 Osijek, Croatia.
Farčić, Nikolina
  • Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31 000 Osijek, Croatia.
  • University Hospital Centre Osijek, 31 000 Osijek, Croatia.
  • Faculty of Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31 000 Osijek, Croatia.
Mikšić, Štefica
  • Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, 31 000 Osijek, Croatia.
Gvozdanović Debeljak, Aleksandra
  • Elementary School Ljudevit Gaj Osijek, 31 000 Osijek, Croatia.
  • Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.

MeSH Terms

  • Child
  • Disabled Children
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy
  • Humans
  • Parents
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quality of Life
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Virginia

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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