Summary of the Systematic Review

Effects of hippotherapy on mobility, strength and balance in elderly

de Araujo, Jaco de Oliveira, Rodrigues Martins, Pereira, Copetti, Safons

Arch Gerontol Geriatr (2013)

Description

To assess the chronic effects of hippotherapy on functional mobility, muscle strength and balance in elderly. 28 volunteers, between the age of 60 and 84, were randomly recruited and divided in experimental group (EG), with 12 individuals (8 women and 4 men) and control group (CG), with 16 individuals (14 women and 2 men). The EG group participated in an 8-week hippotherapy program. Before and after the study period functional mobility was assessed and measured by Time Up and Go Test (TUG), muscle strength of the lower limbs was measured by 30 s Chair Stand Test (30CST) and performance in balance was measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). A mixed ANOVA model (group × testing time) was applied to establish the effect of the different groups on the functional variables.

Profession 

Non-specified 

Location 

Brazil 

Intervention Terminology

HPOT

Study Design 

RCT 

Sample

28 Adults 

Age/Population

50-84 years 

Assessment/ Outcome measure tools

Timed Up and Go, 30-sec Chair Stand Test, Berg Balance Scale

Result Category 

Balance, mobility, strength

Dosage/Description of Intervention

30 min, 2x/week, 8 weeks = 16 sessions