The Efficacy of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies on Improving Physical Function.
Abstract: To summarize the physical benefits of therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy and suggest directions for future research. Methods: Review of databases for peer-reviewed articles related to equine-assisted activities and therapies. Databases included MEDLINE via EBSCO, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Academic Search Complete. Articles were limited to those with full-text access published in English since 1987. Results: Acute and residual improvements in physical benefits, such as gross motor function (e.g., walking, running, jumping), spasticity, muscle symmetry, posture, balance, and gait occur in adults and children with varying disabilities. The benefits appear to be greatest following multiweek interventions with one or more sessions per week. Modest acute cardiovascular responses are observed during equine-assisted activities and therapies with little or no evidence for training improvements in heart rate or blood pressure at rest or during riding. Conclusions: The present body of literature provides evidence that equine-assisted activities and therapies are an effective means of improving many measures of physical health. However, more controlled trials are urgently needed to strengthen the current knowledge base, establish dose-response characteristics of equine-assisted activities and therapies, and explore the physiologic basis for the promising results suggested from the literature.
Publication Date: 2015-12-14 PubMed ID: 26654868DOI: 10.1089/acm.2015.0171Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article discusses the physical benefits of equine-assisted activities and therapies, such as improved motor function, balance, and posture, among people with different disabilities, while stating the need for more controlled trials to solidify the existing knowledge base.
Overview of the Research Methodology
- The study utilised a comprehensive review of databases for peer-reviewed articles concerning equine-assisted activities and therapies.
- These databases included MEDLINE via EBSCO, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Academic Search Complete.
- The scope of the articles was restricted to full-text access and those published in English since 1987.
Findings of the Study
- The research findings revealed both acute and residual improvements in physical benefits. These benefits encompassed gross motor functions such as walking, running, and jumping, along with reduced spasticity, enhanced muscle symmetry, improved posture, balance, and gait.
- These physical benefits were found in both adults and children with a range of disabilities.
- The study indicated that the benefits were most significant following multiweek interventions with one or more sessions each week.
- The findings also pointed out a modest acute cardiovascular response during equine-assisted activities and therapies. However, there was no concrete evidence suggestive of training improvements in heart rate or blood pressure either at rest or during riding.
Conclusions and Recommendations
- The researchers concluded that equine-assisted activities and therapies were effective in improving various parameters of physical health. This conclusion is anchored in the existing literature.
- Yet, there is a pressing need for more controlled trials to reinforce this knowledge base.
- Moreover, research should be undertaken to establish dose-response characteristics of these activities and therapies.
- The study also recommended exploring the physiological basis for the promising results implied by the existing literature.
Cite This Article
APA
Rigby BR, Grandjean PW.
(2015).
The Efficacy of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies on Improving Physical Function.
J Altern Complement Med, 22(1), 9-24.
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2015.0171 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1 Department of Kinesiology, Texas Woman's University , Denton, TX.
- 2 Baylor Laboratories for Exercise Science & Technology, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University , Waco, TX.
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Cerebral Palsy / therapy
- Child
- Equine-Assisted Therapy / history
- Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
- History, 16th Century
- History, 20th Century
- History, 21st Century
- History, Ancient
- Humans
- Motor Skills / physiology
- Postural Balance / physiology
- Young Adult
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Urbowicz M, Saulicz M, Saulicz A, Saulicz E. Self-Assessment of the Pelvic Floor by Women Practicing Recreational Horseback Riding. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Feb 13;19(4).
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- Cheng X, Kong X, Fan Y, Wang X, Li Z, Wu H. Effects of Equine-Assistant Activity on Gross Motor Coordination in Children Aged 8 to 10 Years. J Healthc Eng 2022;2022:3623686.
- Artemiou E, Hutchison P, Machado M, Ellis D, Bradtke J, Pereira MM, Carter J, Bergfelt D. Impact of Human-Animal Interactions on Psychological and Physiological Factors Associated With Veterinary School Students and Donkeys. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:701302.
- Contalbrigo L, Borgi M, De Santis M, Collacchi B, Tuozzi A, Toson M, Redaelli V, Odore R, Vercelli C, Stefani A, Luzi F, Valle E, Cirulli F. Equine-Assisted Interventions (EAIs) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Behavioural and Physiological Indices of Stress in Domestic Horses (Equus caballus) during Riding Sessions. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 27;11(6).
- Ahn B, Joung YS, Kwon JY, Lee DI, Oh S, Kim BU, Cha JY, Kim JH, Lee JY, Shin HY, Seo YS. Effects of equine-assisted activities on attention and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy in a randomized trial: examining the comorbidity with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. BMC Pediatr 2021 Mar 19;21(1):135.
- Rigby BR, Davis RW, Bittner MD, Harwell RW, Leek EJ, Johnson GA, Nichols DL. Changes in Motor Skill Proficiency After Equine-Assisted Activities and Brain-Building Tasks in Youth With Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:22.
- White-Lewis S. Equine-assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis. Nurs Open 2020 Jan;7(1):58-67.
- Bunketorp-Käll L, Pekna M, Pekny M, Blomstrand C, Nilsson M. Effects of horse-riding therapy and rhythm and music-based therapy on functional mobility in late phase after stroke. NeuroRehabilitation 2019 Dec 18;45(4):483-492.
- Mutoh T, Mutoh T, Tsubone H, Takada M, Doumura M, Ihara M, Shimomura H, Taki Y, Ihara M. Impact of Long-Term Hippotherapy on the Walking Ability of Children With Cerebral Palsy and Quality of Life of Their Caregivers. Front Neurol 2019;10:834.
- Pohl P, Carlsson G, Bunketorp Käll L, Nilsson M, Blomstrand C. A qualitative exploration of post-acute stroke participants' experiences of a multimodal intervention incorporating horseback riding. PLoS One 2018;13(9):e0203933.
- De Santis M, Contalbrigo L, Borgi M, Cirulli F, Luzi F, Redaelli V, Stefani A, Toson M, Odore R, Vercelli C, Valle E, Farina L. Equine Assisted Interventions (EAIs): Methodological Considerations for Stress Assessment in Horses. Vet Sci 2017 Sep 8;4(3).
- Ohtani N, Kitagawa K, Mikami K, Kitawaki K, Akiyama J, Fuchikami M, Uchiyama H, Ohta M. Horseback Riding Improves the Ability to Cause the Appropriate Action (Go Reaction) and the Appropriate Self-control (No-Go Reaction) in Children. Front Public Health 2017;5:8.
- Koca TT, Ataseven H. What is hippotherapy? The indications and effectiveness of hippotherapy. North Clin Istanb 2015;2(3):247-252.
- Mutoh T, Mutoh T, Takada M, Doumura M, Ihara M, Taki Y, Tsubone H, Ihara M. Application of a tri-axial accelerometry-based portable motion recorder for the quantitative assessment of hippotherapy in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. J Phys Ther Sci 2016 Oct;28(10):2970-2974.
- Cygańska AK, Giżewska B, Zdunek K. Evaluating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Female Horse Show Jumpers Using the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire. Med Sci Monit 2025 Mar 16;31:e946830.
- Rigby BR. Characterizing stress during animal interaction: a focus on the human endocrine response during equine-assisted services. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1303354.
- Mutoh T, Mutoh T, Kurosaki H, Taki Y. Effects of Hippotherapy on Health-Related Quality of Life in Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Quasi-Experimental Study in Japan. Healthcare (Basel) 2023 Dec 15;11(24).
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