These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Changes in dynamic trunk/head stability and functional reach after hippotherapy.
    Author: Shurtleff TL, Standeven JW, Engsberg JR.
    Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil; 2009 Jul; 90(7):1185-95. PubMed ID: 19577032.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: To determine if hippotherapy (therapy using a horse) improves head/trunk stability and upper extremity (UE) reaching/targeting in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (SDCP). DESIGN: Pre-postoperative follow-up with a 12-week intervention and 12-week washout period after intervention. SETTING: A human performance laboratory with 6 camera video motion capture systems for testing. PARTICIPANTS: Eleven children (age 5-13y, average 8y) with SDCP, 8 children (age 5-13y, average 8y) without disabilities. INTERVENTION: Hippotherapy intervention performed at 3 therapeutic horseback riding centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Video motion capture using surface markers collecting data at 60 Hz, a mechanical barrel to challenge trunk and head stability, and functional reach/targeting test on static surface. RESULTS: Significant changes with large effect sizes in head/trunk stability and reaching/targeting, elapsed time, and efficiency (reach/path ratio) after 12 weeks of hippotherapy intervention. Changes were retained after a 12-week washout period. CONCLUSIONS: Hippotherapy improves trunk/head stability and UE reaching/targeting. These skills form the foundation for many functional tasks. Changes are maintained after the intervention ceases providing a skill foundation for functional tasks that may also enhance occupational performance and participation.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]