Effects of a hippotherapy intervention on muscle spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018 May:31:188-192. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.02.013. Epub 2018 Feb 19.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of a 12 weeks hippotherapy intervention protocol on hip adductors spasticity in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Settings/location: The intervention was conducted in an Equestrian and Therapeutic Association. Patients were recruited from a Rehabilitation Unit of Cerebral Palsy.

Subjects: A total of 44 children with spastic cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] levels IV-V; 28 boys and 16 girls; aged 8 years 10 months, SD 3 months) were assigned to a treatment (n = 22; mean age 9 years 6 months, SD 3 months) or a control group (n = 22; mean age 8 years 3 months, SD 3 months).

Interventions: The control group received conventional therapy, and the treatment group received hippotherapy in addition to their conventional treatment. The intervention consisted of a 12-weeks hippotherapy program (1 time/week, 45 min).

Outcome measures: Both groups were assessed before and after the full program with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS).

Results: There were significant differences in the MAS scores between the treatment and the control group in both adductors (left adductors: p = 0,040; right adductors: p = 0,047), after a 12-weeks hippotherapy intervention.

Conclusions: A hippotherapy based treatment in addition to conventional therapy, in children with cerebral palsy, produces statistically significant changes in hip adductors spasticity after a 12-weeks intervention. Thus, it seems to produce benefits in the short-term.

Keywords: Cerebral palsy; Hip adductors; Hippotherapy; Muscle hypertonia; Muscle spasticity; Physical therapy.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Cerebral Palsy / physiopathology
  • Cerebral Palsy / therapy*
  • Child
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy*
  • Female
  • Hip / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Spasticity*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*