Effects of Weekly Hippotherapy Frequency on Children With Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03024099
• Other study ID #: 50019415.3.0000.0030
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 2016
• Est. completion date: January 19, 2017

Study information

• Verified date: January 2017
• Source: University of Brasilia
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The hippotherapy is considered a therapeutic modality that provides numerous benefits in the rehabilitation process and has often been recommended by doctors for children with cerebral palsy. Despite being in frank ascent, this therapy still lacks scientific evidence. Objectives: To analyze and compare the effects of hippotherapy program, often 1 or 2 days a week in gross motor function, trunk balance and functional performance of children with cerebral palsy.

Description:

Study characterized by a controlled experiment with a sample of 24 children, aged between 2 and 4 years, were randomly divided into control group (CG), with 9 participants, with the use of 1 to week and experimental group, also with 11 participants, 2 times a week intervention. The call followed protocol and took place once or twice a week lasting 30 minutes.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 20
• Est. completion date: January 19, 2017
• Est. primary completion date: December 2016
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 2 Years to 4 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children from 2 to 6 years of age with diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, besides medical, physiotherapeutic and psychological referral with indication of the practice of Hippotherapy

• Children classified with GMFCS levels 2, 3, 4 or 5

• Understanding, agreement and signing of the Free and Informed Consent Form

• Understanding, agreement and signing of the Free and Informed Assent Term, when applicable

• Possibility to participate in a riding program 1 or 2 times a week for a period of 16 weeks

• Conduct traditional physiotherapy concomitantly 1 or 2 times a week

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of associated syndromes or structural deformities that make Hippotherapy impossible

• Present seizures without medication control

• Does not have enough hip joint amplitude for riding (about 20 degrees of abduction)

• To have an invasive or surgical procedure during the study

• Have previously participated in an Equine Therapy program

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Cerebral Palsy

Intervention

Other:
• Hippotherapy once a week
Hippotherapy once a week
• Hippotherapy twice a week
Hippotherapy twice a week

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Brasilia

References & Publications (19)

Alemdaroglu E, Yanikoglu I, Öken Ö, Uçan H, Ersöz M, Köseoglu BF, Kapicioglu MI. Horseback riding therapy in addition to conventional rehabilitation program decreases spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: A small sample study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016 May;23:26-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.02.002. Epub 2016 Feb 13. — View Citation

Angsupaisal M, Visser B, Alkema A, Meinsma-van der Tuin M, Maathuis CG, Reinders-Messelink H, Hadders-Algra M. Therapist-Designed Adaptive Riding in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Results of a Feasibility Study. Phys Ther. 2015 Aug;95(8):1151-62. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20140146. Epub 2015 Apr 23. — View Citation

Borgi M, Loliva D, Cerino S, Chiarotti F, Venerosi A, Bramini M, Nonnis E, Marcelli M, Vinti C, De Santis C, Bisacco F, Fagerlie M, Frascarelli M, Cirulli F. Effectiveness of a Standardized Equine-Assisted Therapy Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2016 Jan;46(1):1-9. doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2530-6. — View Citation

Cho SH, Kim JW, Kim SR, Cho BJ. Effects of horseback riding exercise therapy on hormone levels in elderly persons. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Jul;27(7):2271-3. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.2271. Epub 2015 Jul 22. — View Citation

Earles JL, Vernon LL, Yetz JP. Equine-assisted therapy for anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms. J Trauma Stress. 2015 Apr;28(2):149-52. doi: 10.1002/jts.21990. Epub 2015 Mar 17. — View Citation

Flores FM, Dagnese F, Mota CB, Copetti F. Parameters of the center of pressure displacement on the saddle during hippotherapy on different surfaces. Braz J Phys Ther. 2015 May-Jun;19(3):211-7. doi: 10.1590/bjpt-rbf.2014.0090. Epub 2015 Jun 12. — View Citation

Jang B, Song J, Kim J, Kim S, Lee J, Shin HY, Kwon JY, Kim YH, Joung YS. Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy for Treating Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Altern Complement Med. 2015 Sep;21(9):546-53. doi: 10.1089/acm.2015.0067. Epub 2015 Jul 13. — View Citation

Kang KY. Effects of mechanical horseback riding on the balance ability of the elderly. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Aug;27(8):2499-500. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.2499. Epub 2015 Aug 21. — View Citation

Kim SR, Cho SH, Kim JW, Lee HC, Brienen M, Cho BJ. Effects of horseback riding exercise therapy on background electroencephalograms of elderly people. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Jul;27(7):2373-6. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.2373. Epub 2015 Jul 22. — View Citation

Kwon JY, Chang HJ, Lee JY, Ha Y, Lee PK, Kim YH. Effects of hippotherapy on gait parameters in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011 May;92(5):774-9. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2010.11.031. — View Citation

Kwon JY, Chang HJ, Yi SH, Lee JY, Shin HY, Kim YH. Effect of hippotherapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2015 Jan;21(1):15-21. doi: 10.1089/acm.2014.0021. Epub 2014 Dec 31. — View Citation

Lee CW, Kim SG, An BW. The effects of horseback riding on body mass index and gait in obese women. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Apr;27(4):1169-71. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.1169. Epub 2015 Apr 30. — View Citation

Lee DK, Kim EK. The influence of horseback riding training on the physical function and psychological problems of stroke patients. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Sep;27(9):2739-41. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.2739. Epub 2015 Sep 30. — View Citation

Lee N, Park S, Kim J. Effects of hippotherapy on brain function, BDNF level, and physical fitness in children with ADHD. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 2015 Jun;19(2):115-21. doi: 10.5717/jenb.2015.15061209. Epub 2015 Jun 30. — View Citation

McGibbon NH, Benda W, Duncan BR, Silkwood-Sherer D. Immediate and long-term effects of hippotherapy on symmetry of adductor muscle activity and functional ability in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Jun;90(6):966-74. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2009.01.011. — View Citation

Park ES, Rha DW, Shin JS, Kim S, Jung S. Effects of hippotherapy on gross motor function and functional performance of children with cerebral palsy. Yonsei Med J. 2014 Nov;55(6):1736-42. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2014.55.6.1736. — View Citation

Park J, Lee S, Lee D. The effects of horseback riding simulator exercises on the muscle activity of the lower extremities according to changes in arm posture. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Sep;27(9):2731-2. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.2731. Epub 2015 Sep 30. — View Citation

Temcharoensuk P, Lekskulchai R, Akamanon C, Ritruechai P, Sutcharitpongsa S. Effect of horseback riding versus a dynamic and static horse riding simulator on sitting ability of children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. J Phys Ther Sci. 2015 Jan;27(1):273-7. doi: 10.1589/jpts.27.273. Epub 2015 Jan 9. — View Citation

Tseng SH, Chen HC, Tam KW. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of equine assisted activities and therapies on gross motor outcome in children with cerebral palsy. Disabil Rehabil. 2013 Jan;35(2):89-99. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2012.687033. Epub 2012 May 26. Review. — View Citation

* Note: There are 19 references in all — Click here to view all references

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Effects of weekly frequency of hippotherapy on gross motor function through GMFM (gross motor function measurement) of children with cerebral palsy.	GMFM - quantitative scale assessing 5 dimensions of motor development.	one year
Primary	Effects of weekly frequency of hippotherapy on functional performance through the Pediatric Disability Inventory (PEDI) of children with cerebral palsy.	PEDI Inventory - quantitative scale that evaluates the functional performance, among others, for self care, mobility and social function.	one year