"Final Proof #1" on new hoof research

2012-01-08T10:52:00.000-08:00

Summary of The Effect of Hippotherapy on Spasticity and on Mental Well-Being of

2011-11-16T13:42:00.000-08:00

A clinical study involving 12 people with motor-complete traumatic SCI (Spinal cord injury; grade A or B) was performed with an objective to determine the effect of Hippotherapy on muscle spasticity. Muscle spasticity is a common abnormal condition that occurs with spinal cord injury.
The participants were divided into three intervention groups. One, designated as Intervention H was to use Hippotherapy treatment performed according to clinical [1]Hippotherapy standards and practice. The second group, Intervention R, was provided with a Bobath roll and a canvassed cylinder made of rubber foam. Instructions were to sit upright, astride the Bobath roll with their hips and knees flexed and feet on the ground during therapy sessions. The third group, Intervention S used a rocking seat, an electronically powered rocker board attached to a cushioned stool, with the rotation axis placed in the middle of the seat on the sagittal plane. This devise was designed to imitate the motion and walking pace of a horse. Members of this group were instructed to sit at a ninety degree hip and knee flexion with ankles in a neutral position and feet on surface. Each group had close involvement with the same physiotherapists. The study took place over a four week period, consisting of twenty-five minute sessions twice a week. Measurements were clinically rated with the Ashorth Scale of all three groups by examiners that were unaware of the form of therapy each group was participating in. VAS, a self-rating done by the participants on a visual analog scale was also used for measurement. All participants were measured both before and after therapy sessions. There was a notable reduction of spasticity in groups H and R, but there was no detected reduction of spasticity in group S with the rocker board.
Although long term effects were not identified for any of the intervention groups, analyzed, short term results showed that only group H showed significant improvement with spasticity. The rocker board applied a pelvic sagittal movement but, not only did the Hippotherapy provide sagittal movement with the pelvis, it also created a three dimensional displacement. In addition, the spontaneous movement of the dangling legs following the movement of the pelvis, and warmth of the horse, unlike the rocker board and Bobath roll, may have had positive effects on muscle tone. Also noted were the benefits of the combined inhibited sitting astride position (in hip flexion, abduction, and external rotation) and motion of the horse creating the lateral, rhythmic flexion of the torso. The combination of all these motions attributed to the reduced spasticity.
Findings concluded that only Intervention (group) H using the Hippotherapy had a substantial improvement in muscle spasticity. Neither the Bobath roll that provided some stretching, nor the rocking seat that created similar rhythmic motion to the horse achieve the same results indicated in Intervention H. Additionally, an overall improvement in patient’s sense of wellbeing was noted with Intervention H, whereas Interventions R and S showed no changes in patient wellbeing or mental state.

Kiki Edgerton / January 17, 2011
______________________________

Works Cited
Lechner ; Helga E. Lechner, MSc, PT, Tanja H. Kakebeeke, PhD, PT, Dörte Hegemann,
PT, Michael Baumberger, MD. ABSTRACT. Lechner HE, Kakebeeke TH, Hegemann D, Baumberger M. Phys The Effect of Hippotherapy on Spasticity and on Mental Well-Being of Persons With Spinal Cord Injury. Med Rehabil 2007;88:1241-8.Phys Med Rehabil 2007;88:1241-8.. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Volume 88, Issue 10 , Pages 1241-1248, October 2007. PII: S0003-9993(07)01284-1. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2007.07.015 © 2007 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Published by Elsevier Inc. http://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(07)01284-1/fulltext
Pdf; http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0003-9993/PIIS0003999307012841.pdf
_______________________________________

[1] Hippotherapy is defined as equine facilitated physical therapy. The patient sits astride a horse passively responding to the horse’s forward movement. An experienced horse handler leads the horse along with two ‘side walker’ assistants to insure safety for the patient. Physiotherapist controlled.

Uploaded to YouTube by ReeveFoundation on Oct 26, 2010

Hippotherapy uses a horse's walk to provide sensory input through movement which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the client are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking.

Physically, hippotherapy can improve balance, posture, mobility and function. Hippotherapy may also affect psychological, cognitive, behavioral and communication functions for clients of all ages. Clients who may benefit from hippotherapy can have a variety of diagnoses: examples include Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Developmental Delay, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Autism and Learning or Language Disabilities. However, hippotherapy is not for every client. Each potential client must be evaluated on an individual basis by specially trained health professionals.

HeadWinds; Equine Facilitated Therapy

"Final Proof #1" on new hoof research

Summary of The Effect of Hippotherapy on Spasticity and on Mental Well-Being of