학술논문
Impact of Hippotherapy on Gross Motor Function and Quality of Life in Children with Bilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Open-Label Crossover Study.
Document Type
Article
Author
Source
Subject
*CHILDREN with cerebral palsy
*RIDING therapy
*QUALITY of life
*MOTOR ability
*PHYSICAL therapy
*RANDOMIZED controlled trials
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Language
ISSN
0174-304X
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 hippotherapyonce totwiceweekly duringa period of 16to 20weeks (mean: 17treatments) in a crossover approach. Where as no significant changeswere found for totalGMFM 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 diseasemay need special support to get access to and benefit from intensified physiotherapy programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]