Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Computerized Dynamic Posturography for Postural Control Assessment in Patients with Intermittent Claudication
Published on: December 11, 2013
Effect of a single session of Equine Assisted Physical Therapy on postural stability in children with Down syndrome
Miroslav Janura1, Anežka Šigutová2, Věra Lantelme-Faisan3
1Department of Natural Sciences in Kinanthropology, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic; Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Introduction:
Equine Assisted Physiotherapy (EAPT; formerly known as hippotherapy) is known to improve functional mobility, gross motor skills, and postural stability in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). However, it may be challenging to implement as a long-term intervention. The aim of the current study was to assess whether even a single session of EAPT can have effect on postural stability in children with DS.
Methods:
Nine children with DS underwent a single session of EAPT. Postural stability before and immediately after the EAPT session was assessed with the bipedal stance (variability of lower trunk angular velocity), the One Leg Stance Test and the Semi-Tandem Stance Test (duration), and the Modified Functional Reach Test (distance) was used. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the instrumented data and functional test results obtained before and after the EAPT session.
Results:
A trend towards improved postural stability was found for most of the measured parameters after completing the EAPT session. The variability of angular velocity in the sagittal plane was significantly reduced after the session (p = 0.028). A significant increase in the Semi-Tandem Stance Test duration was observed when the dominant limb was positioned forward (p = 0.017).
Conclusions:
EAPT is considered beneficial for children with developmental disorders, but it may be challenging implementing it as a longer-term intervention. However, even a single EAPT session may positively affect postural stability in children with DS and therefore improve quality of their lives.
