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Effect of Hippotherapy in Children With Down Syndrome

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Down Syndrome
Interventions
Behavioral: Hippotherapy
Behavioral: Home exrecises
Registration Number
NCT05297149
Lead Sponsor
Halic University
Brief Summary

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hippotherapy on balance, functional mobility, and functional independence in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods: Thirty-four children with DS were randomly assigned to the experimental (hippotherapy) and control groups after initial assessment. Both groups received physiotherapy including balance exercises, and the experimental group also received hippotherapy. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) were used before and after the intervention.

Detailed Description

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hippotherapy on balance, functional mobility, and functional independence in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods: Thirty-four children with DS were randomly assigned to the experimental (hippotherapy) and control groups after initial assessment. Both groups received physiotherapy including balance exercises, and the experimental group also received hippotherapy. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) were used before and after the intervention.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
34
Inclusion Criteria
  • diagnosed with down syndrome
  • being aged 4 to 14 years
  • being voluntary
Exclusion Criteria
  • having a history of previous hippotherapy intervention,
  • having a phobia related to horse riding, epileptic seizures, atlantoaxial instability, and
  • having any orthopedic, neurological, or cardiovascular disease that prevents physical activity.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
hippotherapy groupHippotherapyParticipants that are performed hippotherapy
Control groupHome exrecisesParticipants that are performed home exercise program
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)Change from baseline TUG at 6th week

The TUG assesses balance and functional mobility. The time required for the person to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters forward, return to the chair, and sit down again was recorded. Times of 14 seconds or more are interpreted as high risk of falling. The TUG was reported to be reliable for assessing functional mobility in people with DS.

Pediatric Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)Change from baseline WeeFIM at 6th week

The WeeFIM is a pediatric version of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) that was developed to measures a child's consistent functional performance in essential daily functional skills (independence in self-care, sphincter control, transfers, locomotion, communication, and social cognition). It is an 18-item, 7-level ordinal scale instrument (score range: 18-126) and can be used for children with developmental disabilities aged 6 months to 21 years.

Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)Change from baseline PBS at 6th week

The PBS is a modified version of the Berg Balance Scale that is used to assess functional balance skills in children with mild to moderate motor impairment. The scale consists of 14 items that are scored from 0 (lowest function) to 4 (highest function) with a maximum score of 56 points. Lower scores indicate poorer balance. The PBS has been validated for use in children with neuromotor dysfunction.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Haliç University

🇹🇷

Istanbul, Turkey

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