Summary of the Systematic Review

Improvements in muscle symmetry in children with cerebral palsy after equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy)

Benda W, McGibbon NH, Grant KL

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2003)

Description

To evaluate the effect of hippotherapy (physical therapy utilizing the movement of a horse) on muscle activity in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Profession 

Physical Therapist 

Location 

USA

Intervention Terminology

HPOT

Study Design 

Pre/post test with control

Sample

15 children 

Age/Population

4-12 years 

Assessment/ Outcome measure tools

Remote surface EMG

Result Category 

Muscle activation in sitting, standing, walking

Dosage/Description of Intervention

8 minutes of HPOT or sitting astride a barrel