File
M. Rinehimer1, M. Collins1, L. Brantingson1, M. Yurko1
1Misericordia University, Physical Therapy, Dallas, United States
Background: Many existing therapies are utilized with the goal of effectively treating children with physical disabilities. One alternative form of therapy that has been complementary to traditional physical therapy is hippotherapy. Current research on hippotherapy focuses on individuals with cerebral palsy.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to broaden the scope of research to include the parent’s perspective of the effects on children with any physical disability focusing on the specific benefits that relate directly to hippotherapy services.
Methods: Convenience sampling was used to seek participants. Recruitment was through the American Hippotherapy Association website. Materials were mailed to various facilities once therapists expressed an interest in disseminating our materials. Qualitative data was obtained using a survey developed by the researchers that included demographic elements and hippotherapy-related items to allow the researchers to obtain data on how parents and/or guardians perceive the therapeutic significance related to hippotherapy. The survey consisted of 26 questions with a combination of Likert scale, dichotomous, and open-ended questions. This survey was available in both paper and online formats for convenience. The age range of the children included in the study was 0-17 years old and diagnoses included autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, hypotonia, cerebral palsy, Marfan syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and 15q duplication syndrome.
Results: Survey results were obtained from participants in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, Texas, and Florida. The surveys were coded and analyzed by the researchers at Misericordia University. Data analysis evolved as five themes: recommendation/referral, accessibility and affordability, effectiveness for children with various physical disabilities, differences in hippotherapy compared to other therapies, and parent opinions on the overall experience. 100% of subjects reported that their child enjoys hippotherapy more than other therapies. The beneficial effects identified by the parents that directly related to hippotherapy included improved core and lower extremity strength, postural control, muscle endurance, motivation for and compliance to therapy, tolerance to the length of therapy sessions, and longer-lasting effects. 93% of parents strongly agree they would recommend hippotherapy to others.
Conclusion(s): Hippotherapy is perceived to result in positive physical and social changes in a wide array of physical disabilities. Regardless of the diagnosis, children have greater enjoyment with hippotherapy as they view it as a fun activity as opposed to “exercise,” which influences increased compliance.
Implications: These recognized benefits of Hippotherapy can be used in addition to PT to: 1. give children the utmost opportunity to improve their quality of life, 2. encourage participation in patients who may not be cooperative with their PT services and 3. raise awareness to healthcare providers that the benefits of hippotherapy reach beyond cerebral palsy to numerous other diagnoses. It can also have a profound impact on how parents perceive their child’s progress.
Funding, acknowledgements: This study received a small research stipend for mailing needs from the Misericordia Research funds.
Keywords: Hippotherapy, children, Physical disabilities
Topic: Paediatrics
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: Misericordia University
Committee: Institutional Review Board
Ethics number: IRB 53 18 T2
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
