Therapeutic Effects of Horseback Riding Therapy on Gross Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACTPurpose: This systematic review examined the efficacy of hippotherapy or therapeutic horseback riding (THR) on motor outcomes in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Databases were searched for clinical trials of hippotherapy or THR for children with CP. Results: Nine articles were in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical & occupational therapy in pediatrics 2012-08, Vol.32 (3), p.229-242
Main Authors: Whalen, Cara N., Case-Smith, Jane
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy - therapy
Child
Child, Preschool
Children
Classification
Clinical trials
Efficacy
Equine-Assisted Therapy
gross motor function
hippotherapy
Horses
Humans
Literature Reviews
Motor Development
Motor performance
Motor Skills
Physical Therapy
Program Effectiveness
Psychomotor Skills
Randomized controlled trials
Recreational Activities
Severity of Illness Index
Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
therapeutic horseback riding
Therapy
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Summary:ABSTRACTPurpose: This systematic review examined the efficacy of hippotherapy or therapeutic horseback riding (THR) on motor outcomes in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: Databases were searched for clinical trials of hippotherapy or THR for children with CP. Results: Nine articles were included in this review. Although the current level of evidence is weak, our synthesis found that children with spastic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-III, aged 4 years and above are likely to have significant improvements on gross motor function as a result of hippotherapy and THR. Evidence indicates that 45-min sessions, once weekly for 8-10 weeks, result in significant effects. Conclusions: The current literature on hippotherapy and THR is limited. Large randomized controlled trials using specified protocols are needed to more conclusively determine the effects on children with CP. From the current evidence, it appears that hippotherapy and THR have positive effects on gross motor function in children with CP.
ISSN:0194-2638
1541-3144
DOI:10.3109/01942638.2011.619251