Central Michigan University recently completed a multi-center, randomized control trial assessing the effects of the addition of 12 weekly sessions of hippotherapy compared to the childrenâs usual therapy routines. This study on the effects of hippotherapy on balance and gait in ambulatory children with spastic cerebral palsy brought statistically significant improvements on measures of balance, participation, and quality of life for the children involved in the study.
Horses helping children move better
Children with cerebral palsy, from the ages of three to six participated in this study and were assessed for balance, gait, participation and quality of life before and after intervention therapy.
The project was funded through a grant from the Horses and Humans Research Foundation and was led by Principal investigators Debbie Silkwood-Sherer DHS, PT, HPCS and Nancy H. McGibbons MS, PT, HPCS. McGibbons stated that although âWe were disappointed in the numbers that we were striving for, we were not disappointed in the results that, once again, show the benefits of hippotherapy and add to the overall body of knowledge.â
Children with cerebral palsy, from the ages of three to six, participated in this study. The team assessed balance, gait, participation and quality of life of all participants before and after intervention.
Researchers also assessed whether improvements continued or were maintained by completing follow-up assessments 12 weeks after the hippotherapy sessions were concluded.
A number of children in the control group dropped out resulting in an imbalance in the age and the level of CP involvement of the children receiving hippotherapy vs. the control group. This was a confounding factor for the researchers in analyzing the data.
Despite these complications, the researchers found that when analyzing changes within each group, both groups improved in most measures. This was not a surprising outcome since all children were receiving some form of therapy (physical, occupational, and/or speech). However, results indicated that only the group receiving hippotherapy demonstrated statistically significant improvements on measures of balance, participation, and quality of life.
Final efforts to submit a manuscript for publication is currently under review. Once published, more details of the studyâs outcomes will be made available.
Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) is the only organization dedicated solely to funding research to support the equine-assisted activities and therapies field. Since its founding The Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF) has awarded $400,000 in professional research efforts led by eight research teams in the United States, Canada and Germany.
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