Hippotherapy to Improve the Balance of Children With Movement Disorders

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Neuromuscular Diseases; Cerebral Palsy; Down Syndrome; Autism; Developmental Coordination Disorder
• Interventions: Other: Hippotherapy

• Registration Number: NCT01313325
• Lead Sponsor: Central Michigan University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine if adding hippotherapy treatment will improve balance for children ages 5-17 who have disabilities such as cerebral palsy and down syndrome. We also want to find out if by improving their balance the children increase their participation in age appropriate activities.

Detailed Description

The primary purpose of this study is to determine the effects of hippotherapy on the balance of children with developmental disorders that cause mild to moderate balance problems. The secondary purpose is to determine if the use of hippotherapy also improves perceived functional abilities and thus quality of life as measured by the pediatric balance scale and Activities Scale for Kids (respectively)

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2006-09
• Primary Completion: 2007-12
• Study Completion: 2007-12
• Status Verified: 2011-03
• Study First Submitted: 2011-03-09
• Study First Submitted QC: 2011-03-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2011-03-10
• Study First Posted: 2011-03-11
• Last Update Posted: 2011-03-11

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 16

Inclusion Criteria

• between the ages of 5 and 17
• have a neuromuscular diagnosis or confirmed difficulties with balance
• be able to stand 4 seconds without an assistive device
• be able to follow testing instructions
• must be under 250 pounds
• be able to attend a minimum 10/12 sessions.

Exclusion Criteria

• any compounding orthopedic or medical condition not related to the primary developmental diagnosis.
• previous hippotherapy intervention or therapeutic riding experience
• allergies or aversion to horses.
• refusal of parents to sign the therapeutic riding center's liability release form
• any new treatments (includes therapies, drugs, or other complementary treatments) within one month of the start of the study or plans for new treatments during the intervention period
• lack of a physician referral for physical therapy

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Treatment group	Hippotherapy	Children between 5-17 years who have balance deficits related to any movement disorder (preferably neuromuscular)

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pediatric Balance Scale	8-9 weeks	The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a standardized 14 item test of various component activities related to balance. It is a modified child version of the adult Berg Balance Scale. The PBS has high total score test-retest reliability of ICC (3,1) =0.998, as well as good interrater reliability (ICC(3,1) = 0.997).1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Activities Scale for Kids	8-9 weeks	Activities Scale for Kids - Participation (ASKp) is a self-administered 30 item questionaire that measures the impact of children's disability to overall function and participation within relevant environments. It correlates well with parent reports on the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (r=0.81, p\<0.000) and clinician observations of children's function (ICC=0.92, p\<0.000).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

CHUM Therapeutic Riding Center; 🇺🇸 Dansville, Michigan, United States