Summary of the Systematic Review

The influence of short term, intensive hippotherapy on gait in children with cerebral palsy

Honkavaara M, Rintala P

European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity (2010) 

Description

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short term hippotherapy on functional gait changes in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Participants were two boys (ages 12 and 13) with spastic diplegia and a girl (14 yrs) with athetoid CP. 

Profession 

Physical Therapist 

Location 

Finland

Intervention Terminology

HPOT

Study Design 

Pre/post single-subject ABA withdrawal design with repeated measures within-subjects

Sample

2 children 

Age/Population

12-14 Years 

Assessment/ Outcome measure tools

10m walk test, step count, qualitative gait assessment, stride length

Result Category 

Gait

Dosage/Description of Intervention

9 HPOT sessions over 3 weeks, 25-40 minute sessions