title: Effect of Hippotherapy on Motor Proficiency and Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy Who Walk.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of hippotherapy on physical capacities of children with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirteen children (4-12 years old) with cerebral palsy classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System Level I or II were included in this prospective quasi-experimental ABA design study. Participants received 10 weeks of hippotherapy (30 min per week). Gross motor function and proficiency were measured with the Bruininks-Oseretski Motor Proficiency short form [BOT2-SF]) and the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 [GMFM-88] (Dimension D and E) twice before the program (T1 and T1'), immediately after (T2), and 10 weeks following the end of the program (T3).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean scores for dimensions D and E of the GMFM-88 Dimension scores (p = .005) and three out of the eight items of the BOT2-SF (fine motor precision (p = .013), balance (p = .025), and strength (p = .012) improved between baseline and immediately after intervention; mean scores immediately following and 10 weeks following intervention did not differ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hippotherapy provided by a trained therapist who applies an intense and graded session for 10 weeks can improve body functions and performance of gross motor and fine motor activities in children with cerebral palsy.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Québec , Canada.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Champagne
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences , Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Québec , Canada.|b Research Centre on Aging , University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , Québec , Canada.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Corriveau
authors.affiliation: c Department of Physical Activity Sciences , Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières , Trois-Rivières , Québec , Canada.
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dugas
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D053580:Muscle Strength; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Balance; cerebral palsy; gross motor function; hippotherapy; muscle strength; posture