title: Study of the therapeutic effects of a hippotherapy simulator in children with cerebral palsy: a stratified single-blind randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate whether hippotherapy (when applied by a simulator) improves postural control and balance in children with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stratified single-blind randomized controlled trial with an independent assessor. Stratification was made by gross motor function classification system levels, and allocation was concealed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children between 4 and 18 years old with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were randomized to an intervention (simulator ON) or control (simulator OFF) group after getting informed consent. Treatment was provided once a week (15 minutes) for 10 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gross Motor Function Measure (dimension B for balance and the Total Score) and Sitting Assessment Scale were carried out at baseline (prior to randomization), end of intervention and 12 weeks after completing the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-eight children participated. The groups were balanced at baseline. Sitting balance (measured by dimension B of the Gross Motor Function Measure) improved significantly in the treatment group (effect size = 0.36; 95% CI 0.01-0.71) and the effect size was greater in the severely disabled group (effect size = 0.80; 95% CI 0.13-1.47). The improvements in sitting balance were not maintained over the follow-up period. Changes in the total score of the Gross Motor Function Measure and the Sitting Assessment Scale were not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hippotherapy with a simulator can improve sitting balance in cerebral palsy children who have higher levels of disability. However, this did not lead to a change in the overall function of these children (Gross Motor Function Classification System level V).
authors.affiliation: San Jorge University, Spain. pherrero@usj.es
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herrero
authors.forename: Eva M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Gómez-Trullén
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Asensio
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casas
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Monserrat
authors.forename: Anand
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pandyan
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D012371:Robotics; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013030:Spain