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Effect of hippotherapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial
Jeong-Yi Kwon1, Hyun Jung Chang, Sook-Hee Yi
11 Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Prevention and Rehabilitation, Heart Vascular and Stroke Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine , Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Hippotherapy significantly improved gross motor function and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). This therapy benefits children across various functional levels, enhancing their mobility and coordination.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Neurology
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of disorders affecting movement and posture, impacting gross motor function in children.
- Current therapeutic interventions aim to improve motor skills and functional independence in children with CP.
- Hippotherapy, a form of physical therapy using a horse's movement, is explored for its potential benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the clinical significance of hippotherapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To evaluate the effect of hippotherapy across different functional levels of CP, as defined by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted in an outpatient therapy setting.
- Ninety-two children (aged 4-10 years) with CP (GMFCS levels I-IV) participated.
- The intervention group received hippotherapy (30 minutes, twice weekly for 8 weeks), while the control group received standard care.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements were observed in gross motor function and balance in the hippotherapy group compared to the control group.
- Specific dimensions of gross motor function (GMFM-88) showed significant improvement, with variations based on GMFCS level.
- Hippotherapy demonstrated positive effects on dimensions E (levels I, II), D (levels II, III), C (levels III, IV), and B (level IV).
Conclusions:
- Hippotherapy is an effective intervention for enhancing gross motor function and balance in children with cerebral palsy.
- The benefits of hippotherapy are evident across a spectrum of functional abilities in children with CP.
- This study supports the integration of hippotherapy into the rehabilitation programs for children with CP.
Objective:
To examine whether hippotherapy has a clinically significant effect on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
Design:
Randomized controlled trial.
Setting:
Outpatient therapy center.
Participants:
Ninety-two children with CP, aged 4-10 years, presenting variable function (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels I-IV).
Intervention:
Hippotherapy (30 minutes twice weekly for 8 consecutive weeks).
Outcome Measures:
Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-88, GMFM-66, and Pediatric Balance Scale.
Results:
Pre- and post-treatment measures were completed by 91 children (45 in the intervention group and 46 in the control group). Differences in improvement on all three measures significantly differed between groups after the 8-week study period. Dimensions of GMFM-88 improved significantly after hippotherapy varied by GMFCS level: dimension E in level I, dimensions D and E in level II, dimensions C and D in level III, and dimensions B and C in level IV.
Conclusion:
Hippotherapy positively affects gross motor function and balance in children with CP of various functional levels.
