Summary of the Systematic Review

Evaluation of therapeutic riding (Sweden) / hippotherapy (USA). A single-subject experimental design study replicated in eleven patients with multiple sclerosis.

Hammer A, Nilsagard Y, Forsberg A, Pepa H, Skargren E, Oberg B

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice (2005) 

Description

The aim of this study was to investigate whether therapeutic riding (TR, Sweden) hippotherapy (HT, United States) may affect balance, gait, spasticity, functional strength, coordination, pain, self-rated level of muscle tension (SRLMT), activities of daily living (ADL), and health-related quality of life.

Profession 

Physical Therapist 

Location 

USA/Sweden 

Intervention Terminology

TR/HPOT

Study Design 

single-subject experimental design study, A-B-A- type

Sample

11 Adults 

Age/Population

35-61 years 

Assessment/ Outcome measure tools

Berg Balance Scale, TUG, 10 min walk, Modified Ashworth, Index of Muscle Function, Birgitta Lindmark Motor Assessment, multiple self rating measures

Result Category 

Balance 

Dosage/Description of Intervention

10 weekly sessions, 30 minutes each