The effect of hippotherapy on postural balance

Authors

  • Edyta Mikołajczyk Section of Kinesitherapy, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Physical Education Krakow, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4109-9409
  • Beata Ligęza The Foundation for People with Disabilities, Stróże, Poland
  • Agnieszka Jankowicz-Szymańska Section of Physical Education, Department of Health Sciences, State Higher Vocational School, Tarnow, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3111-3468

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15584/ejcem.2017.1.7

Keywords:

cerebral palsy, hippotherapy, balance

Abstract

Introduction. Impaired motor control in children with infantile cerebral palsy (ICP) frequently leads to mobility limitations.

Aim. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of hippotherapy on maintaining postural balance and gait in children with ICP.

Material and methods. A total of thirty children with spastic diplegia, aged 8-13 years, participated in the study. All children took part in a two-week hippotherapy program. The Tinetti and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests were used to investigate the quality of their postural balance and gait. All tests were performed before and after therapeutic horseback riding.

Results. After the two weeks of therapy, a statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement in balance maintenance and gait performance was observed in all children.

Conclusion. 1. Hippotherapy sessions significantly improved the level of postural balance in children with ICP. 2. Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) positively affected the quality of gait and significantly decreased the risk of accidental falls in children who participated in the rehabilitation program.

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Published

2017-03-31

How to Cite

Mikołajczyk, E., Ligęza, B., & Jankowicz-Szymańska, A. (2017). The effect of hippotherapy on postural balance. European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 15(1), 45–49. https://doi.org/10.15584/ejcem.2017.1.7

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2017): European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Section

ORIGINAL PAPERS

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Copyright (c) 2017 European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

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