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- Title
Modulation of back geometry in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy via hippotherapy training.
- Authors
El-Meniawy, Gehan H.; Thabet, Nahed S.
- Abstract
Background and purpose: Controlled hippotherapy environment provides a foundation for improved neurologic function and sensory processing. This foundation can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities, making the horse a valuable therapeutic tool for rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a once weekly, twelve-week hippotherapy program on back geometry in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Subjects: Thirty spastic diplegic children from both sexes, ranging in age from six to eight years represented the sample of this study. The degree of spasticity ranged from 1 to 1+ according to the modified Ashworth scale. They were divided randomly into two groups of equal number A (control) and B (Study). Procedures: Evaluation of back geometry parameters was conducted for each child of the two groups before and after three months of treatment via using Formetric instrument system. Group A received a designed exercise program, while group B received hippotherapy training in addition to the same exercise program given to group A. Results: No significant difference was noticed when comparing the pre-treatment results of the two groups, while significant improvement was observed in all the measuring variables of the two groups when comparing their pre and post-treatment mean values. Significant difference was also observed when comparing the post-treatment results of the two groups in favor of group B. Discussion and conclusion: Hippotherapy utilizes the movement of the horse to provide sensory feedback and may be used as a therapeutic intervention for improving back geometry in children with spastic diplegia.
- Subjects
CEREBRAL palsy treatment; RIDING therapy; MODULATION spectroscopy; DEVELOPMENTAL disabilities; JUVENILE diseases; NEUROLOGY
- Publication
Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, 2012, Vol 13, Issue 1, p63
- ISSN
1110-8630
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1016/j.ejmhg.2011.10.004