Evaluation of the Efficacy of Hippotherapy for Children With Developmental Disorders

Completed

• Conditions: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Registration Number: NCT00717392
• Lead Sponsor: Sheba Medical Center

Brief Summary

Hippotherapy is every program of horseback riding meant to treat people with physiological, mental, social, cognitive or behavioral problems. The purpose of the current research is to evaluate the efficacy of hippotherapy for children with developmental disabilities. The hypothesis is that children with developmental disabilities who are treated with hippotherapy will show better outcomes than children with the same problems who are not treated with hippotherapy.

Detailed Description

Hippotherapy is every program of horseback riding meant to treat people with physiological, mental, social, cognitive or behavioral problems. Most studies that tested hippotherapy were uncontrolled and focused on motor problems, such as cerebral palsy. Today, hippotherapy is used for various developmental problems such as Attention deficit / Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), without clear information about its efficacy for these populations.

The purpose of the current research is to evaluate the efficacy of 6 months of hippotherapy for children with developmental disabilities. The hypothesis is that children with developmental disabilities who are treated with hippotherapy for 6 months will show better outcomes than children with the same problems who are not treated with hippotherapy.

Assessment:

* BRIEF questionnaire

* Stony Brook Questionnaire

All questionnaires will be applied at the beginning of the study and after 6 months.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2008-07-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2008-07-16
• Study First Posted: 2008-07-17
• Study Start: 2008-09
• Primary Completion: 2011-06
• Study Completion: 2012-07
• Status Verified: 2013-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2013-02-28
• Last Update Posted: 2013-03-01

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Age: 5-17 years.
• A diagnosis of ADHD or ASD.

Exclusion Criteria

• None.

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Improving the parameters of autism	Repetitive behaviors	Repetitive behaviors Eye contact Communication

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Weinberg Child Development Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer; 🇮🇱 Ramat-Gan, Israel