Summary of the Systematic Review

Impact of hippotherapy for balance improvement and flexibility in elderly people.

Dinaz L, de Mello E, Riberio M, Lage J et al

Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies (2020) 

Description

The decrease in functional ability, strength, balance, flexibility, agility, and coordination owing to neurological and muscular changes is one of the characteristic features of the human aging process. Hippotherapy has been highlighted as a therapeutic approach with physical and psychological benefits for this section of the population. However, the effects of hippotherapy in elderly people need to be further studied by assessing their balance and flexibility.

Profession 

Not Specific 

Location 

Brazil 

Intervention Terminology

Equine Movement

Study Design 

Pre-test/post-test with control and experimental groups

Sample

Thirty elderly people were recruited and divided into two groups; 15 in the Hippotherapy Group (HG), and 15 in the control group (CG)

Age/Population

60-70 years 

Assessment/ Outcome measure tools

Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG), Functional Reach

Result Category 

Balance, function 

Dosage/Description of Intervention

10, weekly mounted sessions for 30 min