Effect of Hippotherapy in Children With Down Syndrome

Halic University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Down Syndrome

Treatments: Behavioral: Hippotherapy; Behavioral: Home exrecises

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05297149

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Details and patient eligibility

About

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hippotherapy on balance, functional mobility, and functional independence in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods: Thirty-four children with DS were randomly assigned to the experimental (hippotherapy) and control groups after initial assessment. Both groups received physiotherapy including balance exercises, and the experimental group also received hippotherapy. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) were used before and after the intervention.

Full description

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hippotherapy on balance, functional mobility, and functional independence in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods: Thirty-four children with DS were randomly assigned to the experimental (hippotherapy) and control groups after initial assessment. Both groups received physiotherapy including balance exercises, and the experimental group also received hippotherapy. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) were used before and after the intervention.

Enrollment: 34 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 4 to 14 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosed with down syndrome
• being aged 4 to 14 years
• being voluntary

Exclusion criteria

• having a history of previous hippotherapy intervention,
• having a phobia related to horse riding, epileptic seizures, atlantoaxial instability, and
• having any orthopedic, neurological, or cardiovascular disease that prevents physical activity.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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34 participants in 2 patient groups

hippotherapy group

Experimental group

Description:

Participants that are performed hippotherapy

Treatment:

Behavioral: Hippotherapy

Control group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants that are performed home exercise program

Treatment:

Behavioral: Home exrecises