Benefits of hippotherapy in children with cerebral palsy: A narrative review

European Journal of Paediatric Neurology : EJPN : Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
R Martín-ValeroV Perez-Cabezas

Abstract

Children with cerebral palsy display disorders in pelvic movement and require effective rehabilitation. There is evidence to support the hippotherapy due to improvements in balance. The aim of this narrative review was to summarise the grades of recommendation regarding the benefits of hippotherapy in children with cerebral palsy. We searched electronic databases, limiting the searches to studies published between 2004 and February 2017. The selected documents were classified according to the strength of recommendation provided by Duodecim (the Finnish medical society). The methodological quality of the selected studies was evaluated using the PEDro scale. 18 studies (four graded A, eight graded B and six graded C) showed clinical changes in the outcomes of gross motor function, sitting independently, speed of walking, length of stride and postural alignment of the head in children with cerebral palsy. Study quality was poor to good (mean PEDro Score of 6 out of 10). Benefits were identified in relation to psychological factors, as well as positive effects on quality of life and the performance of daily life activities. Gains were also observed in postural alignment and the balance of head and trunk. Moreover, there were improv...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 28, 2019·Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology·Tomoko MutohMasahiro Ihara
Jul 15, 2020·Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology·Jyoti UpadhyayMohd Nazam Ansari
Aug 28, 2020·PloS One·Edneia Corrêa de MelloAna Paula Espindula
Nov 30, 2019·Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI·Chiara ScopaPaolo Baragli
Nov 11, 2020·Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing·Jorge Pérez-GómezJosé Carmelo Adsuar
Jun 8, 2021·Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine·Matthew McLaughlin, Didem Inanoglu

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