Effects of Hippotherapy on Physical Function, Bladder and Bowel Symptoms, and Family Quality of Life in Children With Cerebral Palsy
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 发起方
- 入组人数
- 30
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Balance
研究概览
简要总结
Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorders affecting movement and posture due to non-progressive disturbances in the developing brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on physical function, including balance, trunk control, posture, and handgrip strength, as well as bladder and bowel symptoms and family quality of life in children with cerebral palsy.
详细描述
Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorders of movement and posture caused by non-progressive disturbances in the developing brain. Children with cerebral palsy may experience limitations in balance, trunk control, posture, mobility, and daily activities.
During hippotherapy, the rhythmic and multidirectional movements of the horse provide continuous sensory and motor stimulation, requiring the child to make repeated postural adjustments. These characteristics may support balance, postural control, muscle activation, and functional performance.
Although the effects of hippotherapy on motor function in children with cerebral palsy have been investigated, evidence regarding its combined effects on physical function, bladder and bowel symptoms, and family quality of life remains limited. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on physical function-including balance, trunk control, posture, and handgrip strength-as well as bladder and bowel symptoms and family quality of life in children with cerebral palsy. The findings may contribute to the literature and provide guidance for rehabilitation practices.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 7 Years 至 15 Years（Child）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Aged between 7 and 15 years
- •Diagnosis of cerebral palsy confirmed by a specialist physician
- •Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I-III
- •Ability to understand and follow basic verbal commands
- •Ability to stand independently for at least 30 seconds
- •No medical contraindications to participation in hippotherapy
- •Voluntary participation in the study and written informed consent provided by a parent or legal representative
排除标准
- •Presence of an active infection
- •Bladder or bowel symptoms caused by an organic condition, such as -Hirschsprung disease or anorectal malformation
- •Receipt of hippotherapy within the previous 12 months
- •Uncontrolled epilepsy or a seizure within the previous 6 months
- •Inability to comply with the assessment or treatment program because of severe behavioral problems
- •Inability to attend the treatment program regularly
- •Surgery affecting the spine, pelvis, or lower extremities within the previous 12 months
- •Severe hip dislocation, atlantoaxial instability, uncontrolled scoliosis, or another orthopedic condition constituting a contraindication to hippotherapy
研究组 & 干预措施
Hippotherapy Group
干预措施: Hippotherapy Program (Other)
Control Group
干预措施: Special Education Program (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Balance
时间窗: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale, a 14-item scale evaluating sitting balance, standing balance, transfers, reaching, turning, and stepping activities. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance performance. The scale will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Trunk Control
时间窗: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Trunk control will be assessed using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 58, with higher scores indicating better trunk control. The assessment will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Posture
时间窗: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Postural alignment will be assessed using the New York Posture Rating Chart. The total score ranges from 13 to 65, with higher scores indicating better postural alignment. The assessment will be performed by a physiotherapist.
Handgrip Strength
时间窗: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Handgrip strength will be measured in kilograms using a hand dynamometer. Three measurements will be obtained for each hand, with a 1-minute rest period between measurements. The mean value of the three measurements will be used in the analysis. Higher values indicate greater handgrip strength.
Bladder and Bowel Symptoms
时间窗: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Bladder and bowel symptoms will be assessed using the Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. The questionnaire will be completed by the child with parental assistance.
Familiy Quality of Life
时间窗: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Family quality of life will be assessed using the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Primary Caregiver Form (CP QOL-Child). Each domain is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. The questionnaire will be completed by the child's parent or primary caregiver.
次要结局
未报告次要终点
研究者
Elif Sena Düşgün
Assistant Professor
Fenerbahce University