Spinal Cord Injury

  • The effect of hippotherapy on spasticity and on mental well-being of persons with spinal cord injury

    Lechner, H. E., Kakebeeke, T. H., Hegermann, D., Baumberger, M.
    Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2007) 

    Description
    To determine the effect of hippotherapy on spasticity and on mental well-being of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI), and to compare it with the effects of other interventions.

    Results
    By analyzing the clinically rated spasticity, only the effect of hippotherapy reached significance compared with the control condition (without intervention); median differences in the Ashworth scores’ sum before and after hippotherapy sessions ranged between −8.0 and +0.5. There was a significant difference between the spasticity-reducing effect of hippotherapy and the other 2 interventions in self-rated spasticity by VAS; median differences of the VAS before and after hippotherapy sessions ranged between −4.6 and +0.05cm. There were no long-term effects on spasticity. Immediate improvements in the subjects’ mental well-being were detected only after hippotherapy (P=.048).

    Conclusion
    Hippotherapy is more efficient than sitting astride a Bobath roll or on a rocking seat in reducing spasticity temporarily. Hippotherapy had a positive short-term effect on subjects’ mental well-being. 

  • Basic principles and effects of hippotherapy within the comprehensive treatment of paraplegic patients

    Exner, G., Engelmann, A., Lange, K., & Wenck, B.
    Die Rehabilitation (1994) 

    Description
    A total of 67 patients, both paraplegic and quadriplegic, had participated in a hippotherapy programme over a study period of almost 18 months, with positive effects found relative to spasticity, certain pain syndromes, as well as contraction syndromes associated with impaired joint mobility.  

    Conclusion
    Along with these statistically supported findings, a number of associated effects were noted in the physiotherapy and, especially, the nursing sectors, with easier catheterization, more rhythmical bowel function, more balanced mood with improved sleep, and a generally increased openness and motivation. Hippotherapy has proven a valid method within a synergistic approach for comprehensive care in paraplegia.

  • Physiotherapist

  • Switzerland

  • Hippotherapy

  • Crossover Trial with 4 Conditions

  • 12 adults

  • 27-68 Years

  • Spasticity measured through the Ashworth Scale and a client-reported visual analog scale; Wellbeing measured through Bf-S

  • Spasticity & Mental well-being

  • 25 min, 2x/week, for 4 weeks = 8 sessions total; Participants rode horse at a walk for 25 minutes with a physiotherapist for balance if needed; bareback pad only

  • Lechner, H. E., Kakebeeke, T. H., Hegemann, D., & Baumberger, M. (2007). The effect of hippotherapy on spasticity and on mental well-being of persons with spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 88(10), 1241–1248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2007.07.015

  • Not specified

  • Germany

  • Hippotherapy

  • Not Specified

  • 67 Patients 

  • N/A

  • N/A

  • N/A

  • N/A

  • Exner, G., Engelmann, A., Lange, K., & Wenck, B. (1994). Grundlagen und Wirkungen der Hippotherapie im Konzept der umfassenden Behandlung querschnittgelähmter Patienten [Basic principles and effects of hippotherapy within the comprehensive treatment of paraplegic patients]. Die Rehabilitation, 33(1), 39–43. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8165362/

  • The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a hippotherapy program on static balance and strength in adolescents with intellectual disability (ID). Nineteen adolescents with moderate ID were assigned either an experimental group (n=10) or a control group (n=9). The experimental group attended a 10-week hippotherapy program. To assess static balance, three tasks of increasing difficulty (Double-Leg Stance with opened or closed eyes, and One-Leg Stance with opened eyes) were performed while standing on an EPS pressure platform (Loran Engineering S.r.I., Bologna, Italy). 

  • Improvements in strength and balance tasks by adolescents with ID who participated in the 10-week hippotherapy intervention program.

  • Effect of a hippotherapy intervention program on static balance and strength in adolescents with intellectual disabilities

    Giagazoglou, Arabatzi, Dipla, Liga, Kellis

    Research in Dev. Disabilities (2012)