title: Effects of hippotherapy on gait parameters in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of hippotherapy on temporospatial parameters and pelvic and hip kinematics of gait in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nonrandomized prospective controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient therapy center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children (N=32) with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, Gross Motor Function Classification System level 1 or 2.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hippotherapy (30 min twice weekly for 8 consecutive weeks).
  
  
  METHODS
  Temporospatial parameters and pelvic and hip kinematic parameters in 3-dimensional motion analysis, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-88, and score for dimensions D (standing) and E (walking, running, jumping) of the GMFM, GMFM-66, and Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hippotherapy significantly improved walking speed, stride length, and pelvic kinematics (average pelvic anterior tilt, pelvic anterior tilt at initial contact, pelvic anterior tilt at terminal stance). Scores for dimension E of the GMFM, GMFM-66 and PBS also increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hippotherapy provided by licensed health professionals using the multidimensional movement of the horse may be used in conjunction with standard physical therapy for improvement of gait and balance in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, 50 Irwon-dong, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Yi
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Hyun Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ji Young
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Peter K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yun-Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006615:Hip / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies