Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT01313325

Hippotherapy to Improve the Balance of Children With Movement Disorders

The purpose of this study is to determine if adding hippotherapy treatment will improve balance for children ages 5-17 who have disabilities such as cerebral palsy and down syndrome. We also want to find out if by improving their balance the children increase their participation in age appropriate activities.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Neuromuscular Diseases Abnormalities, Multiple Autism Autism Spectrum Disorder Autistic Disorder Brain Damage, Chronic Brain Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebral Palsy Child Development Disorders, Pervasive Chromosome Disorders Congenital Abnormalities Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Developmental Coordination Disorder Down Syndrome Genetic Diseases, Inborn Intellectual Disability Mental Disorders Motor Skills Disorders Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurodevelopmental Disorders Neurologic Manifestations

Age range

5 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

CHUM Therapeutic Riding Center

Dansville, Michigan, 48854, United States

About this study

The primary purpose of this study is to determine the effects of hippotherapy on the balance of children with developmental disorders that cause mild to moderate balance problems. The secondary purpose is to determine if the use of hippotherapy also improves perceived functional abilities and thus quality of life as measured by the pediatric balance scale and Activities Scale for Kids (respectively)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • between the ages of 5 and 17
  • have a neuromuscular diagnosis or confirmed difficulties with balance
  • be able to stand 4 seconds without an assistive device
  • be able to follow testing instructions
  • must be under 250 pounds
  • be able to attend a minimum 10/12 sessions.

Exclusion criteria

  • any compounding orthopedic or medical condition not related to the primary developmental diagnosis.
  • previous hippotherapy intervention or therapeutic riding experience
  • allergies or aversion to horses.
  • refusal of parents to sign the therapeutic riding center's liability release form
  • any new treatments (includes therapies, drugs, or other complementary treatments) within one month of the start of the study or plans for new treatments during the intervention period
  • lack of a physician referral for physical therapy

Treatment and study plan

hippotherapy

Other

Children will receive treatment by a licensed physical therapist using hippotherapy as the treatment strategy. This includes sitting on a horse who's movement is controlled by a horse leader, with the PT directing the movements required of the horse, as well as supplying supplemental cues to the participant. Alternative positions (such as sitting backward and sideways) may also be used during the treatment session.

Primary outcomes

  1. Pediatric Balance Scale

    Time frame: 8-9 weeks

    The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a standardized 14 item test of various component activities related to balance. It is a modified child version of the adult Berg Balance Scale. The PBS has high total score test-retest reliability of ICC (3,1) =0.998, as well as good interrater reliability (ICC(3,1) = 0.997).1

Secondary outcomes

  1. Activities Scale for Kids

    Time frame: 8-9 weeks

    Activities Scale for Kids - Participation (ASKp) is a self-administered 30 item questionaire that measures the impact of children's disability to overall function and participation within relevant environments. It correlates well with parent reports on the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (r=0.81, p<0.000) and clinician observations of children's function (ICC=0.92, p<0.000).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Central Michigan University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Hippotherapy to Improve Balance Deficits in a Cohort of Children With Movement Disorders: A Pilot Study

Acronym: HPOT

Important dates

Study start
2006
Primary completion
2007
Study completion
2007
First posted
Mar 11, 2011
Registry last updated
Mar 11, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.