Immediate effects of a hippotherapy session on gait parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of a hippotherapy session on temporal and spatial gait parameters in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).


METHODS
Subjects comprised 9 children with a diagnosis of CP, 6 girls and 3 boys, 7 to 18 years of age. Data for temporal and spatial gait parameters were collected immediately before and after a hippotherapy session.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were noted in the postride temporal and spatial gait parameter values when compared with the preride values.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides baseline data for future research and useful clinical information for physical therapists using hippotherapy as a treatment modality for children with spastic CP.
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas 72035-0001, USA. mmcgee@uca.edu
Margaret C
MC
McGee
Nancy B
NB
Reese
D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013997:Time Factors