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Published on: August 9, 2024
Immediate effects of a hippotherapy session on gait parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy
Margaret C McGee1, Nancy B Reese
1Department of Physical Therapy, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas 72035-0001, USA. mmcgee@uca.edu
Insights
Hippotherapy did not significantly change gait parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). This study provides baseline data for future research on CP gait improvements.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting motor function.
- Hippotherapy, using equine movement for therapy, is explored for CP management.
- Gait parameter analysis is crucial for assessing functional mobility in children with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immediate impact of a single hippotherapy session on gait characteristics in pediatric CP.
- To quantify changes in temporal and spatial gait parameters following equine-assisted therapy.
Main Methods:
- Nine children (6 girls, 3 boys, ages 7-18) diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy participated.
- Temporal and spatial gait parameters were measured immediately before and after a hippotherapy session.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in gait parameters post-hippotherapy compared to pre-therapy.
- Immediate effects of hippotherapy on measured gait parameters were not evident in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- This research offers foundational data for future studies on hippotherapy for spastic CP.
- Findings provide preliminary clinical insights for physical therapists considering hippotherapy for children with CP.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of a hippotherapy session on temporal and spatial gait parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods:
Subjects comprised 9 children with a diagnosis of CP, 6 girls and 3 boys, 7 to 18 years of age. Data for temporal and spatial gait parameters were collected immediately before and after a hippotherapy session.
Results:
No statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were noted in the postride temporal and spatial gait parameter values when compared with the preride values.
Conclusions:
This study provides baseline data for future research and useful clinical information for physical therapists using hippotherapy as a treatment modality for children with spastic CP.
