Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
Isokinetic Robotic Device to Improve Test-Retest and Inter-Rater Reliability for Stretch Reflex Measurements in Stroke Patients with Spasticity
Published on: June 12, 2019
Inter-Day Reliability and Changes of Surface Electromyography on Two Postural Muscles Throughout 12 Weeks of
Hélène Viruega1, Inès Gaillard1, Laura Briatte1
1Institut Equiphoria, Combo Besso-Rouges Parets, 48500 La Canourgue, France.
Insights
Hippotherapy shows promise for improving muscle function in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). This study found reliable EMG signals, suggesting potential benefits for postural control and muscle recruitment in CP patients undergoing this neurorehabilitation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) encompasses diverse permanent developmental disorders affecting movement and posture.
- Effective neurorehabilitation strategies are crucial for improving functional outcomes in CP patients.
- Understanding muscle contractile properties during functional activities is key to targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the short-term and mid-term effects of hippotherapy on postural muscle contractile properties in cerebral palsy.
- To quantitatively analyze electromyography (EMG) signals of the rectus abdominis and adductor magnus during functional sitting.
- To establish the reliability of EMG measurements for assessing hippotherapy's impact on CP.
Main Methods:
- 18 patients with cerebral palsy (mean age 18.1 years) participated in 12 weeks of biweekly 30-minute hippotherapy sessions.
- Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded bilaterally from the rectus abdominis and adductor magnus muscles.
- EMG signal amplitude (time domain) and spectral characteristics (frequency domain) were analyzed at baseline, week 6, and week 12.
Main Results:
- High inter-day reliability of EMG signals was confirmed for both rectus abdominis and adductor magnus, validating the methodology.
- Preliminary quantitative changes suggested a potential shift in selective recruitment and contractile properties of the targeted muscles.
- The study provides foundational quantitative data supporting hippotherapy's role in CP neurorehabilitation.
Conclusions:
- Hippotherapy demonstrates potential as a neurorehabilitation approach for individuals with cerebral palsy.
- Quantitative EMG analysis provides reliable data for assessing muscle function changes during hippotherapy.
- Further research exploring postural control and functional activities can optimize individualized neurorehabilitation programs for CP.
Abstract:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term covering a group of permanent developmental disorders of movement and posture characterized by highly variable clinical features. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term and mid-term effects of neurorehabilitation via hippotherapy on the contractile properties of two key postural muscles during functional sitting in such patients. Thirty-minute hippotherapy sessions were conducted biweekly for 12 weeks in 18 patients (18.1 ± 5.7 years old). Surface electromyography (EMG) was implemented bilaterally in rectus abdominis and adductor magnus. We quantitatively analyzed the amplitude of EMG signals in the time domain and its spectral characteristics in the frequency domain. EMGs were recorded at the beginning and end of each session on day one and at week six and week twelve. Statistical analysis revealed a substantial inter-day reliability of the EMG signals for both muscles, validating the methodological approach. To a lesser extent, while beyond the scope of the current study, quantitative changes suggested a more selective recruitment/contractile properties' shift of the examined muscles. Exploring postural control during functional activities would contribute to understanding the relationship between structural impairment, activity performance and patient capabilities, allowing the design of neurorehabilitation programs aimed at improving postural and functional skills according to each individual's needs. The present study provides basic quantitative data supporting the body of scientific evidence making hippotherapy an approach of choice for CP neurorehabilitation.
More Related Videos
07:52Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
07:20Author Spotlight: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Combined with Movement Observation in Cerebral Palsy
Published on: August 9, 2024