Hippotherapy

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Hippotherapy is a treatment that involves using the movements of horse to provide a dynamic base of support as an intervention strategy.12,13 Through the use of the horse’s gait, which provides a three dimensional reciprocal movement, improvements in trunk strength and control, balance, postural endurance, weight shifting and motor planning can be seen in children with CP.2,4,12–16 The horse’s movements simulate normal pelvic rhythm that most closely resembles human ambulation.12,14 Hippotherapy has been used in previous studies to examine its effects on: gross motor function, adductor symmetry, energy expenditure with walking, gait parameters, balance, and trunk and head stability in children with CP.2,4,12,13,16 By varying the horse’s …show more content…

In a study conducted by Herrero and colleagues, the authors utilized a hippotherapy simulator to try and achieve the same results as traditional hippotherapy.24 They found that a greater effect was seen in children with more severe cases of CP (GMFCS level V) when utilizing the hippotherapy simulator.24 Although their methods need refining, there is potential benefit in using a hippotherapy simulator that lacks validated research.24 The use of the simulator can also help to reduce the potential limitation of the high cost of traditional hippotherapy, as was noted by several …show more content…

Several meta-analyses have looked at the overall effectiveness of hippotherapy and therapeutic riding studies in children with CP.10,14,25 A 2007 meta-analysis by Sterba stated that research suggests that therapists and physicians can recommend hippotherapy as a medically indicated therapy for gross motor rehabilitation in children with CP.14 Sterba also states, however, that further studies with blind assessment, control groups, and larger sample sizes are needed.14 In 2011, Zadnikar and Kastrin concluded that the results of their meta-analysis, “…clearly demonstrate that riding therapy is indicated to improve postural control and balance in children with CP.”10 They also commented about sample sizes being too small and that CP management in all therapy, not just hippotherapy, is complex due to the diversity within the population itself.10 Lastly, a 2013 meta-analysis by Tseng and colleagues found insufficient evidence that long-term hippotherapy provided significant benefit to children with CP.25 Based on these meta-analyses, it is clear that more research must be done with larger samples sizes over longer treatment durations with randomization and application of control

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