Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • The effect of therapeutic riding on 5 children With ADHD a pilot study

    Cuypers K., De Ridder K., Strandheimer A.
    Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2011)

    Description 
    The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of therapeutic horseback riding on behavior, health-related quality of life, and motor performance in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 

    Results
    The pre- and post-tests scores were compared with the Wilcoxon paired sample tests and the Friedman test for nonparametric multiple test samples. Positive differences (p≤0.05) between the test results at pretest 2 and post-test 1 were noted for the behavior SDQ subscore "Total difficulties" reported by children (12.8±5.8), by parents (16.6±8.2), and by teachers (15.0±5.2). A significant difference (p<0.05) for the "Total difficulties" in SDQ was found between all 4 tests. In relation to quality of life, significant differences in the "Total score" (67.2±14.7) were reported by the children themselves. The motor performance improved after the intervention. The effect sizes and power were established.

    Conclusion
    The results of the present study indicate that therapeutic horseback riding had a positive effect on 5 children with ADHD in several domains of the social role behavior, quality of life, and motor performance. This pilot study constitutes a good scientific prospect for future studies.

  • Physical Therapist

  • Riding school in Levanger, Norway

  • Therapeutic Riding/Hippotherapy

  • Case Series

  • 5 children

  • 10-11 years

  • Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), The KINDL(R)-Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire, The Modified Function-Neurological Assessment and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children

  • Social role behavior, quality of life, and motor performance

  • 2x/week for 8 weeks, 1 hour sessions

  • Cuypers, K., De Ridder, K., & Strandheim, A. (2011). The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on 5 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 17(10), 901–908. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2010.0547