Impact of Hippotherapy on Gross Motor Function and Quality of Life in Children with Bilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Open-Label Crossover Study

Neuropediatrics
Ute DeutzMartin Häusler

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of hippotherapy on gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]-66, GMFM dimension E and D) and quality of life (Child Health Questionnaire [CHQ 28], KIDSCREEN-27 parental versions) in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Seventy-three children (age: 9.1 ± 3.3 years; male = 44; GMFCS levels II = 27; III = 17; IV = 29) were randomized to an early (n = 35) or late (n = 38) treatment group. Data from 66 probands were available for further analysis. Probands received hippotherapy once to twice weekly during a period of 16 to 20 weeks (mean: 17 treatments) in a crossover approach. Whereas no significant changes were found for total GMFM scores and quality of life parameters, a significant increase in GMFM dimension E was found. Children terminating the study early showed lower mean psychosocial quality of life scores than children who completed the whole study (CHQ-28 "psychosocial dimension"; KIDSCREEN-27 "mood and emotional dimension"). Our data are in line with previous reports and suggest that hippotherapy shows distinct therapeutic strengths with regard to promoting upright stand and gait in children with cerebral palsy. Children with higher psychosocial burden of disea...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 7, 2019·Disability and Rehabilitation·Wendy H Wood, Beth E Fields
Oct 22, 2020·Physiotherapy Theory and Practice·Alessandra PrietoPaulo Gutierres Filho
Nov 11, 2020·Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing·Jorge Pérez-GómezJosé Carmelo Adsuar
Apr 10, 2021·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Anne HelmerYafit Gilboa
May 6, 2021·Applied Neuropsychology. Child·Giuseppa MarescaRocco Salvatore Calabrò
Jul 3, 2021·Journal of Personalized Medicine·Maria Dolores Apolo-ArenasJose Alberto Parraca
Aug 16, 2021·Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies·Monisa Alves Borges SilvaAna Paula Espindula
Oct 16, 2021·Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·Shelley S SelphMarian McDonagh

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