title: A randomized controlled trial of the impact of therapeutic horse riding on the quality of life, health, and function of children with cerebral palsy.
abstract: This randomized controlled trial examined whether therapeutic horse riding has a clinically significant impact on the physical function, health and quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ninety-nine children aged 4 to 12 years with no prior horse riding experience and various levels of impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I-III) were randomized to intervention (10wks therapeutic programme; 26 males, 24 females; mean age 7y 8mo [SD 2y 5mo] or control (usual activities, 27 males, 22 females; mean age 8y 2mo [SD 2y 6mo]). Pre- and post-measures were completed by 72 families (35 intervention and 37 control). Children's gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]), health status (Child Health Questionnaire [CHQ]), and QoL (CP QoL-Child, KIDSCREEN) were assessed by parents and QoL was assessed by children before and after the 10-week study period. On analysis of covariance, there was no statistically significant difference in GMFM, CP QoL-Child (parent report and child self-report), and CHQ scores (except family cohesion) between the intervention and control group after the 10-week study period, but there was weak evidence of a difference for KIDSCREEN (parent report). This study suggests that therapeutic horse riding does not have a clinically significant impact on children with CP. However, a smaller effect cannot be ruled out and the absence of evidence might be explained by a lack of sensitivity of the instruments since the QoL and health measures have not yet been demonstrated to be sensitive to change for children with CP.
authors.affiliation: McCaughey Centre, VicHealth Centre for the Promotion of Mental Health and Community Wellbeing, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. eda@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wolfe
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Raadsveld
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Heine
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomason
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dobson
authors.forename: H K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Graham
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000818:Animals; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010989:Play Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires