Summary of the Systematic Review

Improving gross motor function and postural control with hippotherapy in children with Down syndrome: Case reports

Danielle Champagne, Claude Dugas

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice (2010)

Description

The purpose of this case report is to describe the impact of an 11-week hippotherapy program on the gross motor functions of two children (respectively 28 and 37 months old) diagnosed with Down syndrome. Hippotherapy is a strategy that uses the horse's motion to stimulate and enhance muscle contraction and postural control.

Profession 

Occupational Therapist 

Location 

Canada

Intervention Terminology

HPOT

Study Design 

Survey 

Sample

2 Children

Age/Population

2-3 Years 

Assessment/ Outcome measure tools

Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and accelerometry

Result Category 

Motor performance

Dosage/Description of Intervention

11 weeks. 30 minute sessions