Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2025
Enhancing the Development and Growth of Infant Cerebral Palsy Rats Using Selective Spinal Manipulations
Published on: February 2, 2024
HIPPOTHERAPY IN CEREBRAL PALSY - SURVEY RESEARCH
Włodzisław Kuliński1, Emilia Gryl2
1DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION, MILITARY INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE, NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, WARSAW, POLAND.
Objective:
The aim: To assess the effects of a one-year hippotherapy programme on the physical and mental functioning of children with cerebral palsy.
Patients And Methods:
Materials and methods: The study included 15 children with cerebral palsy whose mean age was 9 years. The children participated in hippotherapy ses¬sions at the Rehabilitation Centre in Rusinowice (one-year observation). The clinical presentation was dominated by manifestations of motor and postural abnormalities caused by central nervous system damage. A survey questionnaire was used in the study to collect information about problems associated with everyday life and functioning.
Results:
Results: The results obtained in this study showed that spastic CP was the most common form of the disorder, affecting 8 out of 15 children (53%). It was followed by mixed CP (40%, 6 children). Among the respondents, 67% (10 people) were already familiar with hippotherapy whereas 33% did not know this method.
Conclusion:
Conclusions: There was a strong correlation between being familiar with effects of hippotherapy and the level of education of the parent/guardian. This result had a moderate influence on the frequency of hippotherapy sessions. Systematic hippotherapy sessions helped improve physical fitness and everyday functioning in children with cerebral palsy.
