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Children (Basel, Switzerland)2020; 7(9); 106; doi: 10.3390/children7090106

The Effectiveness of Hippotherapy to Recover Gross Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Abstract: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent disorder of the posture and movement, which can result in impairments of gross motor function, among others. Hippotherapy (HPT) is an emerging intervention to promote motor recovery in patients with neurological disorders, providing a smooth, precise, rhythmic, and repetitive pattern of movement to the patient. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials was to analyze the effectiveness of HPT interventions on gross motor function in subjects with CP. The following databases were searched in May 2019: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. The methodological quality of the randomized controlled trials was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. A total of 10 studies were analyzed in this review, involving 452 participants. Favorable effects were obtained on the gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure-66, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.47-1.15, Gross Motor Function Measure-88 dimension A SMD = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.30-0.97, dimension B SMD = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.09-0.75, and dimension E SMD = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.06-0.73). The results obtained in the present review show the potential benefit of HPT intervention in improving gross motor function in children with CP.
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Publication Date: 2020-08-19 PubMed ID: 32825159PubMed Central: PMC7552760DOI: 10.3390/children7090106Google 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 was about evaluating the efficiency of hippotherapy — a therapeutic approach using horse movements — to enhance gross motor functionality in children affected by cerebral palsy. The study used a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous clinical trials and observed a notable improvement in motor function.

Objectives of the Research

  • The primary aim of this research was to evaluate whether hippotherapy or HPT — a therapy using the movement of horses — is effective in improving gross motor functions in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
  • Perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials to compare the outcomes of this unique form of intervention.

Methodology

  • In May 2019, several databases like PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were utilized to gather relevant research data.
  • With the help of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale, the authors assessed the methodological quality of these acquired trials.
  • A total of ten previous studies were included in this review, featuring a combined 452 participants.

Findings

  • The research showed favorable effects of hippotherapy on gross motor functions. The Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (effective tool to measure gross motor function in individuals with cerebral palsy) showed a significant standardized mean difference (SMD).
  • Similarly, the Gross Motor Function Measure-88, a comprehensive assessment tool, showed substantial improvement in dimensions A (lying and rolling), B (sitting), and E (walking, running, and jumping).

Conclusions

  • The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis confirm the potential benefits of using hippotherapy to improve gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy.
  • This new and innovative therapeutic intervention can significantly help the pediatric population affected by CP, warranting further study and implementation.

Cite This Article

APA
Guindos-Sanchez L, Lucena-Anton D, Moral-Munoz JA, Salazar A, Carmona-Barrientos I. (2020). The Effectiveness of Hippotherapy to Recover Gross Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Children (Basel), 7(9), 106. https://doi.org/10.3390/children7090106

Publication

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
ISSN: 2227-9067
NlmUniqueID: 101648936
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 9
PII: 106

Researcher Affiliations

Guindos-Sanchez, Laura De
  • Department of Physiotherapy, Upacesur Medical and Functional Rehabilitation Center, 41710 Utrera, Spain.
  • Department of Physiotherapy, Macrosad Early Childhood Care, 41620 Marchena, Spain.
Lucena-Anton, David
  • Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain.
Moral-Munoz, Jose A
  • Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain.
  • Institute of Research and Innovation in Biomedical Sciences of the Province of Cadiz (INiBICA), University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain.
  • The Observatory of Pain, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain.
Salazar, Alejandro
  • Institute of Research and Innovation in Biomedical Sciences of the Province of Cadiz (INiBICA), University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain.
  • The Observatory of Pain, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain.
  • Department of Statistics and Operational Research, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain.
Carmona-Barrientos, Ines
  • Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Cadiz, 11009 Cadiz, Spain.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 16 times.
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