Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Action Observation Training in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024
Effects of hippotherapy on gait parameters in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy
Jeong-Yi Kwon1, Hyun Jung Chang, Ji Young Lee
1Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, 50 Irwon-dong, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Hippotherapy significantly improved gait speed, stride length, and pelvic movement in children with cerebral palsy. This equine-assisted therapy also enhanced balance and functional mobility scores.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Physical Therapy
- Equine-Assisted Therapy
Background:
- Bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) affects gait and motor function in children.
- Standard physical therapy can be augmented with complementary interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of hippotherapy on gait temporospatial and kinematic parameters in children with bilateral spastic CP.
- To evaluate changes in functional mobility and balance following hippotherapy.
Main Methods:
- A nonrandomized prospective controlled trial involving 32 children with bilateral spastic CP (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels 1-2).
- Participants received 8 weeks of hippotherapy (30 minutes twice weekly).
- Gait analysis, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) were used for assessment.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in walking speed, stride length, and pelvic kinematics.
- Dimension E scores of the GMFM (walking, running, jumping) showed improvement.
- Increased scores on the GMFM-66 and Pediatric Balance Scale indicated enhanced balance and function.
Conclusions:
- Hippotherapy, when administered by licensed professionals, can be a valuable adjunct to standard physical therapy for children with bilateral spastic CP.
- This intervention positively impacts gait, balance, and overall functional mobility.
Objectives:
To evaluate the effects of hippotherapy on temporospatial parameters and pelvic and hip kinematics of gait in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.
Design:
Nonrandomized prospective controlled trial.
Setting:
Outpatient therapy center.
Participants:
Children (N=32) with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System level 1 or 2.
Intervention:
Hippotherapy (30 min twice weekly for 8 consecutive weeks).
Main Outcome Measures:
Temporospatial parameters and pelvic and hip kinematic parameters in 3-dimensional motion analysis, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-88, and score for dimensions D (standing) and E (walking, running, jumping) of the GMFM, GMFM-66, and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS).
Results:
Hippotherapy significantly improved walking speed, stride length, and pelvic kinematics (average pelvic anterior tilt, pelvic anterior tilt at initial contact, pelvic anterior tilt at terminal stance). Scores for dimension E of the GMFM, GMFM-66 and PBS also increased.
Conclusions:
Hippotherapy provided by licensed health professionals using the multidimensional movement of the horse may be used in conjunction with standard physical therapy for improvement of gait and balance in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.
