title: Effect of equine-assisted therapy on the postural balance of the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy) produces alterations in the balance of the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample included 17 older adults who were divided into experimental (7 subjects) and control (10 subjects) groups. Stabilometry data were acquired with a force platform. The Timed Up and Go test (TUG) was used for clinical analysis of seated balance, transfer from a seated to a standing position, walking stability and changes in gait. Sixteen equine-assisted therapy sessions were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mann-Witney was used to compare the means between groups and no significant differences were found in the analyzed stabilometric parameters. In intragroup comparison with the Wilcoxon test, a significant increase in the variables COPy and Area (p=0.02) was observed. Equine-assisted therapy significantly affected (p=0.04) TUG test means between the experimental and control groups (Mann-Witney). Intragroup TUG test means were also significantly affected (p=0.04) according to the Wilcoxon test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because senescence tends to normalize stabilometric measures, the number of equine-assisted therapy sessions was insufficient to determine any differences. Nevertheless, the significant improvement in TUG test scores demonstrates that this treatment frequency was a predictor of reduced fall risk in the elderly. Article registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) under number ACTRN12610000534088.
authors: Faculty of Physical Education, Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, DF, Brasil. fisioterapeuta.thais@gmail.com
authors: Thais B
authors: TB
authors: Araujo
authors: Nélida A
authors: NA
authors: Silva
authors: Juliana N
authors: JN
authors: Costa
authors: Marcio M
authors: MM
authors: Pereira
authors: Marisete P
authors: MP
authors: Safons
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance