Effects of hippotherapy on postural stability, in persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of hippotherapy as an intervention for the treatment of postural instability in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
A sample of convenience of 15 individuals with MS (24-72 years) were recruited from support groups and assessed for balance deficits.


METHODS
This study was a nonequivalent pretest-posttest comparison group design. Nine individuals (4 males, 5 females) received weekly hippotherapy intervention for 14 weeks. The other 6 individuals (2 males, 4 females) served as a comparison group. All participants were assessed with the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA) at 0, 7, and 14 weeks.


RESULTS
The group receiving hippotherapy showed statistically significant improvement from pretest (0 week) to posttest (14 week) on the BBS (mean increase 9.15 points (x (2) = 8.82, p = 0.012)) and POMA scores (mean increase 5.13 (x (2) = 10.38, p = 0.006)). The comparison group had no significant changes on the BBS (mean increase 0.73 (x (2) = 0.40, p = 0.819)) or POMA (mean decrease 0.13 (x (2) = 1.41, p = 0.494)). A statistically significant difference was also found between the groups' final BBS scores (treatment group median = 55.0, comparison group median 41.0), U = 7, r = -0.49.


CONCLUSIONS
Hippotherapy shows promise for the treatment of balance disorders in persons with MS. Further research is needed to refine protocols and selection criteria.
Silkwood-Sherer
Debbie
D
Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA. silkw1d@cmich.edu
Warmbier
Heather
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome