Hippotherapy in Children with Developmental Delays: Physical Function and Psychological Benefits

Abstract

Hippotherapy, or horse therapy, is an innovative form of physical therapy that involves the use of a horse as a therapeutic tool in order to effectively challenge a rider's core muscles. The rhythm of the horse's gait continuously engages the client's balance and posture, while the supervising physical therapist seeks to improve the client's overall coordination and fine motor skills through various activities. This combination of movement and therapist-directed activity can have significant impacts on the client's postural control and physical function. Eight children between the ages of 2-12 years that had been previously diagnosed with a variety of different developmental delays or disorders participated in 8-12 weeks of hippotherapy. Subjects were tested before, during, and at the completion of their therapy. The physical function measures included a timed level and unlevel walking test, a coordination-based reach test, and were scored using the Gainesville Riding through Equine Assisted Therapy (G.R.E.A.T.) Postural Scale to measure quality of posture. Psychological changes were also evaluated based on the physical therapists' notes and on parent questionnaires given pre-and post-study. Results indicated that 62.5% (5/8) of the subjects improved in their Postural Scale score, 87.5% (7/8) decreased their time to complete the level and unlevel distances, and 50% (4/8) of the subjects showed better coordination-based reach results from pre-to post-. Physical therapists' notes and preliminary parent report analyses suggest improvements in subjects' self-esteem and overall quality of life. These results indicate that hippotherapy sessions are a very effective way to improve physical function, specifically postural control, strength, and coordination in children who have been diagnosed with any type of developmental delay or disorder. Additionally children showed improvements in confidence, self-esteem, and quality of life as observed by their therapist and measured by the parent questionnaires, which may be directly related to the interaction with the horse and therapists or indirectly related to the improvements in motor function. This research has implications for the benefits of hippotherapy for the pediatric population for both function and quality of life.

Hippotherapy in multiple Sclerosis: A review focusing on motor function

“…[10], C. Bronson et al [11], Frevel et al [12], Lindroth et.al. [18], D. Silkwood-Sherer et al [13], Mr. Thompson et al [14] and Inna Ivanova et al [9] studies presented a significant improve in balance. Most of the studies used BBS as an evaluating tool.…”

“…Torso and balance were examined by D. Silkwood-Sherer et al [13] study, in which the team receiving hippotherapy showed a statistically significant improvement from pretest (0 week) to posttest (14 weeks) for BBS [average increase of 9. In 2014, Mr. Thompson et al [14] conducted a study on torso and orthostatic control. The results showed that 62.5% (5/8) of individuals improved in the Orthostatic Scale score, 87.5% (7/8) reduced their time to complete the level and non-flat distances, and 50% (4/8) of participants showed better range results based on post-coordination.…”

Anxiety management through hippotherapy in children with developmental disorders

“…Patients receiving hippotherapy usually show improvements in motor results because a horse's gait is very similar to that of a normal human walking pattern. Therefore, a person who cannot walk independently is able to assimilate this pattern through the horse's gait [17].…”

Εναλλακτικες Θεραπευτικες Προσεγγισεις -Ιπποθεραπεια- Για Παιδια Με Κινητικες Αναπηριες

“…Οι δοκιμές περιλάμβαναν μια χρονομετρημένη απόσταση και μια δοκιμή βηματισμού. Τα αποτελέσματα έδειξαν ότι το 62,5% των υποκειμένων βελτιώθηκε αποδεικνύοντας ότι οι συνεδρίες ιπποθεραπείας είναι ένας πολύ αποτελεσματικός τρόπος για να βελτιωθεί η φυσική λειτουργία, ειδικά ο έλεγχος, η δύναμη και ο συντονισμός σε παιδιά που έχουν διαγνωστεί με οποιοδήποτε είδος αναπτυξιακής καθυστέρησης ή κινητικής διαταραχής (Thompson, Ketcham & Hall, 2014).…”