Hippotherapy for Neuromotor Impairment

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Montana

Disqualifiers: Fear of horses, Weight over 200lbs, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 19

Duration: 8 weeks

24 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether physical therapy involving horses can improve arm motor skills in children with neuromotor disorders like cerebral palsy. The main goal is to determine if this horse-based therapy, known as hippotherapy, is more effective than regular play-based physical therapy. It also examines how these therapies affect children's physical, emotional, and behavioral responses. Children aged 6-17 with a neuromotor disorder affecting their arms, who can sit on a horse for 30 minutes, might be suitable candidates for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for children to potentially benefit from innovative therapy while contributing to valuable research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that physical therapy using hippotherapy and the equine environment is safe for children with neuromotor disorders?

Research has shown that physical therapy using hippotherapy, which involves therapy with horses, is generally well-tolerated. Studies have focused on its use with children who have conditions like cerebral palsy. These studies indicate that hippotherapy rarely causes serious harm and often helps improve movement and balance.

In previous studies, trained professionals followed safety standards, reducing the risk of injury when working with horses. Reports of problems, such as falls or injuries, are rare when proper safety measures are in place.

Overall, evidence suggests that hippotherapy is a safe option for children with movement disorders. However, every child is unique, so families should discuss any concerns with the healthcare team conducting the trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using hippotherapy for neuromotor impairment because it offers a unique and engaging approach compared to traditional physical therapy. Unlike standard play-based physical therapy, hippotherapy incorporates the movement of horses, which can provide a dynamic and sensory-rich environment that enhances balance, coordination, and motor skills. This interaction with horses also encourages physical, cognitive, and emotional engagement, potentially leading to improved outcomes in a more enjoyable setting. By tapping into the therapeutic benefits of equine movement, this method aims to offer a novel way to enhance rehabilitation for those with neuromotor challenges.

What evidence suggests that physical therapy using hippotherapy and the equine environment is effective for improving motor skills in children with neuromotor disorders?

Research has shown that therapy involving horses can improve movement skills in children with nerve and muscle disorders. Studies have found that this therapy enhances balance, movement abilities, and overall quality of movement. For instance, children with cerebral palsy experienced better motor skills after participating in horse-assisted therapies. In this trial, participants in the intervention group will receive physical therapy using hippotherapy and the equine environment. While improvements in daily life might be small, the benefits to physical abilities are significant. This therapy uses horses to create a unique setting that boosts traditional physical therapy techniques. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children aged 6-17 with neuromotor disorders like cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, or spina bifida. They should be able to participate in physical therapy sessions twice a week for 8 weeks and complete assessments of their motor functions.

Inclusion Criteria

I can sit on a horse for 30 minutes without a break.

I meet the standards for horseback riding activities set by PATH Intl.

Able to follow simple verbal instructions in English

Exclusion Criteria

Caregivers unable to speak and read English

I cannot control my head movement on my own.

Fear of or aversion to horses

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive physical therapy incorporating horses or standard play-based physical therapy, 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks

8 weeks

16 visits (in-person)

Assessment

Pre- and post-intervention assessments of motor function and participation in life situations

1 week

2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Physical Therapy Using Hippotherapy and the Equine Environment

Trial Overview

The study compares two types of physical therapy: one using horses (hippotherapy) and the standard play-based approach. It checks if hippotherapy can better improve arm motor skills and participation in life situations than the conventional method.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Physical Therapy Using Hippotherapy and the Equine Environment Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in the intervention group will receive 8 weeks of PT using hippotherapy and the equine environment, 2 x 1-hour sessions per week (16 hours total). Treatment will be provided by a licensed PT with the recommended training to incorporate hippotherapy and the equine environment into treatment (American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) Inc. Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part I and II). Each therapist will work with an equine professional with PATH Intl. Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification, to ensure that therapists adhere to industry standards for safety and handling of the equines.

Group II: Play-Based Physical Therapy Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the control group will receive 8 weeks of standard play-based PT, 2 x 1-hour sessions per week, for a total of 16 hours. The sessions will be implemented by a licensed PT.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Montana

Lead Sponsor

Trials

29

Recruited

4,700+

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

Collaborator

Trials

315

Recruited

251,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Hippotherapy utilizes the movement of horses as a therapeutic tool to help clients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction, such as those with cerebral palsy, by improving their functional abilities through engaging and enjoyable activities.

The controlled environment of hippotherapy allows therapists to adjust the horse's movements and sensory inputs, which can enhance neurological function and sensory processing, benefiting clients in their daily activities.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hippotherapy. Meregillano, G.[2020]

Hippotherapy is primarily utilized by physical and occupational therapists for pediatric clients, with significant variations in practice patterns based on geographic location.

Safety practices in hippotherapy are effective, with very low rates of incidents requiring basic first aid (0.05% of sessions) or off-site care (0.01% of sessions), indicating that risks are well managed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hippotherapy Practice and Safety Patterns in the United States: A Descriptive Survey Study. Peters, BC., Fields, BE., Erdman, EA.[2021]

A comparison of physical therapy with hippotherapy and physical therapy alone in 315 children and adolescents with cerebral palsy showed that both interventions had similar effects on gross motor function, including measures like gait speed and stride length.

While the group receiving hippotherapy showed slightly greater improvements, these changes were not significant enough to be considered clinically meaningful, indicating that both therapies are effective but may not differ substantially in outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical therapy with hippotherapy compared to physical therapy alone in children with cerebral palsy: systematic review and meta-analysis. Santos de Assis, G., Schlichting, T., Rodrigues Mateus, B., et al.[2022]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12156428/

Effects of Equine-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and ...

Objectives: Different types of exercises that aim in the development of balance, motor function, and gait are necessary for patients with motor disorders.

2.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2173580815001030

Effectiveness of equine therapy in children with ...

... equine-assisted therapy is a suitable treatment option for psychomotor development disorders. Regarding quality of life, however, improvements were modest ...

3.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1203481/full

The efficacy of Equine Assisted Therapy intervention in ...

Regarding GMPM, the current study showed that EAT intervention improved the quality of movement of children with motor dysfunctions. Similar ...

4.

publications.aap.org

publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/1/e2021055229/188239/Equine-Assisted-Therapies-for-Children-With

Equine-Assisted Therapies for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Data on motor function assessed by different instruments were considered as the primary outcome. ... disorders, or perinatal infarction. CP shows ...

5.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06887647

PT for Montana Children With NMD Using Hippotherapy ...

Physical Therapy for Montana Children With Neuromotor Disorders Using Hippotherapy and the Equine Environment. Conditions. Neuromotor Impairments. Neuromotor ...

6.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949905425000118

Safety practices and incidents during occupational, ...

Llambias, et al. Equine-assisted occupational therapy: Increasing engagement for children with autism spectrum disorder. Am. J. Occup. Ther., 70 (6) (2016). p ...

7.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12566273/

The Effect of Hippotherapy Simulator-Assisted Therapy on ...

There are various physiotherapeutic approaches available to reduce motor, balance, and gait disorders in children with CP. The techniques ...

8.

cabidigitallibrary.org

cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2025.0003

Hippotherapy practice and safety patterns for adult clients ...

When used with adult clients, HPOT is commonly used to address neurological and developmental disorders, such as cerebral palsy, ASD, and ...

9.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/11/3731

Effects of Equine-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review ...

Individuals with motor dysfunction have abnormal gait patterns due to abnormal muscle tone, reduced control of their muscles, incoordination, asymmetry between ...