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Home / Equine Research Bank / Arq Neuropsiquiatr / Therapeutic effects of a horse riding simulator in children ...
Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria2011; 69(5); 799-804; doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2011000600014

Therapeutic effects of a horse riding simulator in children with cerebral palsy.

Abstract: To evaluate the efficacy of horse ridding simulator on the sitting postural control of children with spastic diplegia. Methods: Forty children were randomly divided in a group using the simulator (RS) and a group performing conventional physical therapy (CT). FScan/Fmat equipment was used to register maximal displacement in antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) directions with children in sitting position. At the pre and post intervention stage both groups were classified according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and, after intervention, by the AUQEI questionnaire (Autoquestionnaire Qualité de vie Enfant Image). Results: Comparison between groups disclosed statistically significant pos-intervention improvement both in the AP (p<0.0001) as in the ML (p<0.0069) direction in the RS group. Conclusions: The horse ridding simulator produced significant improvement in the postural control of children in sitting position, additionally showing a higher motor functionality and a better acceptance of the therapeutic intervention.
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Publication Date: 2011-11-02 PubMed ID: 22042184DOI: 10.1590/s0004-282x2011000600014Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

The study investigates the effectiveness of a horse riding simulator on improving the sitting postural control in children with spastic diplegia, a form of cerebral palsy. The research shows significant improvement in postural control and motor functionality in children who used the simulator.

Methods

  • 40 children were randomly divided into two groups: one using a horse riding simulator (RS) and the other undergoing conventional physical therapy (CT).
  • An FScan/Fmat equipment was used to record the maximum displacement in Antero-Posterior (AP) and Medio-Lateral (ML) directions in a sitting position – indicators of sitting balance.
  • Both groups were classified by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) before and after the intervention to assess the children’s gross motor function, which refers to larger movements involving the arms, legs, feet, or entire body.

Results

  • The study found that after using the simulator, there was a statistically significant improvement in the AP and ML measurements in the RS group. This indicates that the simulator helped improve the children’s control over their sitting posture more effectively than conventional physical therapy.
  • The children’s gross motor functions also improved significantly based on their GMFCS classifications post-intervention.
  • Moreover, the children’s responses to the AUQEI questionnaire (Autoquestionnaire Qualité de vie Enfant Image) revealed they had a more positive perception of the therapeutic intervention when using the simulator compared to conventional physical therapy. This questionnaire measures the children’s quality of life, indicating they found the simulator approach to therapy to be more enjoyable.

Conclusions

  • The results demonstrate that the horse riding simulator significantly improved the sitting posture control and motor functionality of children suffering from spastic diplegia.
  • Additionally, the children seemed to respond more positively to this more innovative approach, showing potential for its continued implementation as a therapeutic intervention.

Cite This Article

APA
Silva e Borges MB, Werneck MJ, da Silva Mde L, Gandolfi L, Pratesi R. (2011). Therapeutic effects of a horse riding simulator in children with cerebral palsy. Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 69(5), 799-804. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0004-282x2011000600014

Publication

Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria
ISSN: 1678-4227
NlmUniqueID: 0125444
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 69
Issue: 5
Pages: 799-804

Researcher Affiliations

Silva e Borges, Maria Beatriz
  • Department of Physical Therapy, Catholic University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil. mbeatrizborges@gmail.com
Werneck, Maria José da Silva
    da Silva, Maria de Lourdes
      Gandolfi, Lenora
        Pratesi, Riccardo

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Cerebral Palsy / rehabilitation
          • Child
          • Child, Preschool
          • Equine-Assisted Therapy / instrumentation
          • Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
          • Exercise Therapy
          • Female
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Male
          • Treatment Outcome

          Citations

          This article has been cited 26 times.
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