Summary of the Systematic Review

Horseback riding therapy in addition to conventional rehabilitation program decreases spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: A small sample study

Alemdaroğlu, E., Yanikoğlu, I., Öken, Ö., Uçan, H., Ersöz, M., Köseoğlu, B. F., & Kapicioğlu, M. I. S

Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 23, 26–29.  (2016) 

Description

To evaluate the short-term effects of horseback riding therapy in addition to a conventional rehabilitation program in children with cerebral palsy.

Nine children receiving horseback riding therapy in addition to conventional rehabilitation (Group 1) and seven children receiving conventional rehabilitation alone (Group 2) were assessed at baseline and 5 weeks later. Assessed were: modified functional reach test (MFRT), hip abduction angle, the Ashworth Scale for hip adductor muscle spasticity, knee distance test, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

Profession 

Physical Therapist 

Location 

Turkey 

Intervention Terminology

Horseback Riding Therapy 

Study Design 

A-B single subject

Sample

9 children 

Age/Population

5-9 years 

Assessment/ Outcome measure tools

Modified Functional Reach Test; Hip Abduction Angle; Hip Adductor Muscle Spasticity (Knee Distance Test & Ashworth Scale); GMFCS

Result Category 

Balance, Spasticity

Dosage/Description of Intervention

"Conventional Rehabilition" 5x/wk x 5 wks plus "Horseback Riding Therapy" 2x/wk x 5 weeks, 30 minutes each