Therapeutic horse riding improves cognition, mood arousal, and ambulation in children with dyspraxia.
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of the physical motion of a horse (riding therapy) combined with the audiovisual perception of this motion on a group of children with dyspraxia in terms of cognition, mood arousal, and gait variability. Methods: The study design was a pretest/post-test. Methods: The study was conducted at the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project, Fettercairn, Tallaght, Dublin. Methods: Forty (40) children ranging from 6 to 15 years of age with a primary diagnosis of dyspraxia were the study subjects. Methods: Children meeting inclusion criteria participated in six 30-minute horse-riding sessions and two 30-minute audiovisual screening sessions. Methods: A Standard Progressive Matrices test (also known as the Ravens test) was used to measure aspects of general intelligence. A Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI) questionnaire was used to assess cognitive, affective, and behavioral signs of depression. A GAITRite Pressure Mapping System analyzed foot function and gait variability by measuring single and double support, cycle time, cadence, toe in/out, and stride length. Results: Significant improvements were evident on the Ravens test and the CDI by the end of the study period. The amount of both single and double support required while completing the walking task also was significantly reduced. Improvements were visible on toe in/out values, cycle time, and cadence. Changes in stride length did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: These findings support the theory that riding therapy and/or the perception of beat-based rhythms, as experienced by the rider on the horse, stimulates cognition, mood, and gait parameters. In addition, the data also pointed to the potential value of an audiovisual approach to equine therapy.
Publication Date: 2013-10-02 PubMed ID: 24088010DOI: 10.1089/acm.2013.0207Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Randomized Controlled Trial
Summary
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This study found that therapeutic horse riding can improve cognitive abilities, mood arousal, and walking patterns in children with dyspraxia, suggesting that the rhythm of horse riding or the use of audio-visual aids could potentially enhance cognition, mood, and gait.
Research Objectives and Methods
- The goal of the research was to assess the effect of horse riding and audiovisual perception of horse movement (riding therapy) on children with dyspraxia, in relation to cognition, mood arousal, and variability in walking.
- The study employed a pretest/post-test design and was conducted at the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project in Dublin, Ireland.
- A total of 40 children aged between 6 and 15 years diagnosed with dyspraxia participated.
- The children required to participate in six 30-minute horse riding sessions and two 30-minute audiovisual sessions.
Testing Tools and Procedures
- The Standard Progressive Matrices test, also known as the Ravens test, was utilized to estimate aspects of general intelligence.
- The Childhood Depression Inventory (CDI) was employed to measure cognitive, affective, and behavioral indications of depression.
- The GAITRite Pressure Mapping System was used to investigate foot function and gait variability, through measuring single and double support, cycle time, toe orientation (in/out), and stride length.
Study Outcomes
- The results showed significant improvements in general intelligence and signs of depression as measured by the Ravens test and the CDI.
- The data also revealed a significant decrease in the amount of both single and double support needed during the walking task.
- Improvements were noticeable in toe orientation (in/out), cycle time, and cadence, but changes in stride weren’t statistically significant.
Research Conclusions
- The findings provided support to the theory that horse riding therapy and the perception of beat-based rhythms experienced by the rider on the horse can help improve cognition, mood, and walking parameters in children with dyspraxia.
- Furthermore, the results indicated the potential value of incorporating an audiovisual approach into equine therapy.
Cite This Article
APA
Hession CE, Eastwood B, Watterson D, Lehane CM, Oxley N, Murphy BA.
(2013).
Therapeutic horse riding improves cognition, mood arousal, and ambulation in children with dyspraxia.
J Altern Complement Med, 20(1), 19-23.
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2013.0207 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- 1 Limerick School of Art and Design, Limerick Institute of Technology , Co. Limerick, Ireland .
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Affect / physiology
- Apraxias / psychology
- Apraxias / therapy
- Child
- Cognition / physiology
- Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Psychological Tests
- Walking / psychology
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Marchand WR. Potential Mechanisms of Action and Outcomes of Equine-Assisted Services for Veterans with a History of Trauma: A Narrative Review of the Literature. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023 Jul 16;20(14).
- Klimova B, Valis M, Hort J, Kuca K. Selected rare paediatric communication neurological disorders. J Appl Biomed 2019 Mar;17(1):33.
- Jeon BJ, Son SM. Social interaction changes in people with intellectual disabilities through the application of equine-assisted intervention in Korea. Am J Transl Res 2021;13(4):3573-3581.
- Zoccante L, Marconi M, Ciceri ML, Gagliardoni S, Gozzi LA, Sabaini S, Di Gennaro G, Colizzi M. Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Improving Adaptive Behavior and Motor Function in Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Clin Med 2021 Apr 16;10(8).
- Marchand WR, Andersen SJ, Smith JE, Hoopes KH, Carlson JK. Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current State, Challenges and Future Directions. Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks) 2021 Jan-Dec;5:2470547021991556.
- Amado-Fuentes M, Denche-Zamorano A, Barrios-Fernandez S, Gozalo M. Bibliometric Analysis on Equine-Assisted Interventions. Animals (Basel) 2024 Jun 13;14(12).
- Kovács KE, Balogh ÉZ, Lovas B, Boris P, Nagy BE. The role of animal-assisted programs in physical health improvement of children and adolescents with special education needs - a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2024 Mar 15;24(1):824.
- Cheng X, Zhen K, Fan Y, Tang Q, Wu H. The effects of equine-assisted activities on execution function in children aged 7-8 years: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav 2023 Sep;13(9):e3148.
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