Summary of the Systematic Review

ARTICLE CITATION

Influence of Hippotherapy on the Kinematics and Functional Performance of Two Children with Cerebral Palsy

Haehl, V., Giuliani, C., Lewis, C 

Pediatric Physical Therapy (1999) 

ARTICLE DETAILS

Description

Therapists use hippotherapy to improve postural control in children with neuromotor dysfunction. Understanding the influence of the horse's movement on the child may clarify mechanisms, which influence posture during hippotherapy. This study was conducted in two phases. First measures of the kinematic relationship between the rider and the horse were developed. A kinematic analysis of the rider's trunk and the horse's back was used to describe postural orientation, postural stability, and temporal phase relations of a novice and an experienced rider. 

Profession 

Physical Therapist 

Location 

USA

Intervention Terminology

HPOT

Study Design 

Two phase, pre/post

Sample

2 children 

Age/Population

4 years & 9 years  

Assessment/ Outcome measure tools

Kinematic data via camcorder and reflective markers and PEDI

Result Category 

Postural control, coordination and functional performance

Dosage/Description of Intervention

12 weeks of weekly sessions