A randomized controlled trial of the impact of therapeutic horse riding on the quality of life, health, and function of children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial examined whether therapeutic horse riding has a clinically significant impact on the physical function, health and quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ninety‐nine children aged 4 to 12 years with no prior horse riding experience and various levels of impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I−III) were randomized to intervention (10wks therapeutic programme; 26 males, 24 females; mean age 7y 8mo [SD 2y 5mo] or control (usual activities, 27 males, 22 females; mean age 8y 2mo [SD 2y 6mo]). Pre‐ and post‐measures were completed by 72 families (35 intervention and 37 control). Children’s gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]), health status (Child Health Questionnaire [CHQ]), and QoL (CP QoL‐Child, KIDSCREEN) were assessed by parents and QoL was assessed by children before and after the 10‐week study period. On analysis of covariance, there was no statistically significant difference in GMFM, CP QoL‐Child (parent report and child self‐report), and CHQ scores (except family cohesion) between the intervention and control group after the 10‐week study period, but there was weak evidence of a difference for KIDSCREEN (parent report). This study suggests that therapeutic horse riding does not have a clinically significant impact on children with CP. However, a smaller effect cannot be ruled out and the absence of evidence might be explained by a lack of sensitivity of the instruments since the QoL and health measures have not yet been demonstrated to be sensitive to change for children with CP.

Self-Reported Quality of Life of Young Children With Conditions From Early Infancy: A Systematic Review

“…There was substantial variation between these studies in sample size and in the approach to data analysis and presentation. Ten studies analyzed the level of agreement between child and parent scores through correlations 11,33,40,[45][46][47][48][49][50][51] (Pearson or Spearman rank correlation or intraclass correlation coefficients), whereas 11 used other approaches in which there was no statistical analysis of self-proxy agreement reported 31,34,[52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60] (Table 3). Only 1 study analyzed the magnitude of the disagreement or agreement, taking into account the average SDs of the child and parent scores (effect size), the direction of self-proxy difference, and the factors affecting it.…”

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Emerging Trauma-Informed Intervention

“…Only two of the studies (Bass, Duchowny, & Llabre, 2009;Davis et al, 2009) were randomized-controlled trials. Kendall and colleagues (2015) report that although additional rigorously-designed studies were needed to conclude that equine-assisted interventions are efficacious, "equine-assisted interventions hold much promise, particularly in terms of child/adolescent social and behavioural issues" (p. 75).…”

The effect of a hippotherapy session on spatiotemporal parameters of gait in children with cerebral palsy - pilot study.

“…Hi po tera pia sty mu lu je tre ning po sta wy i rów no wa gi w odpo wie dzi na ru chy prze miesz cza ją ce go się zwie rzę -cia [6,7].…”

“…Hippotherapy stimulates po sture and balance training with the patient respond ing to the movement of the animal [6,7].…”