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Neuropediatrics 2018; 49(03): 185-192
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1635121
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Impact of Hippotherapy on Gross Motor Function and Quality of Life in Children with Bilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Open-Label Crossover Study

Ute Deutz   *
1   Division of Pediatric Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
,
Nicole Heussen   *
2   Department of Medical Statistics, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
3   Center of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Sigmund Freud Private University, Vienna, Austria
,
Katharina Weigt-Usinger
4   Department of Neuropaediatrics, University Children's Hospital, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
,
Steffen Leiz
5   Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Kliniken Dritter Orden GmbH, München, Germany
,
Christa Raabe
6   Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
Tilman Polster
7   Pediatric Epilepsy Department, Bethel Epilepsy Centre, Bielefeld, Germany
,
Steinbüchel Daniela
8   Kinderneurologisches Zentrum KiNZ, LVR-Klinik, Bonn, Germany
,
Christine Moll   §
1   Division of Pediatric Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
,
Thomas Lücke
4   Department of Neuropaediatrics, University Children's Hospital, Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
,
Ingeborg Krägeloh-Mann
6   Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
,
Helmut Hollmann
8   Kinderneurologisches Zentrum KiNZ, LVR-Klinik, Bonn, Germany
,
Martin Häusler
1   Division of Pediatric Neurology and Social Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

25 August 2017

26 December 2017

Publication Date:
27 February 2018 (online)

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Abstract

This study investigated the effect of hippotherapy on gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]-66, GMFM dimension E and D) and quality of life (Child Health Questionnaire [CHQ 28], KIDSCREEN-27 parental versions) in children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy. Seventy-three children (age: 9.1 ± 3.3 years; male = 44; GMFCS levels II = 27; III = 17; IV = 29) were randomized to an early (n = 35) or late (n = 38) treatment group. Data from 66 probands were available for further analysis. Probands received hippotherapy once to twice weekly during a period of 16 to 20 weeks (mean: 17 treatments) in a crossover approach. Whereas no significant changes were found for total GMFM scores and quality of life parameters, a significant increase in GMFM dimension E was found. Children terminating the study early showed lower mean psychosocial quality of life scores than children who completed the whole study (CHQ-28 “psychosocial dimension”; KIDSCREEN-27 “mood and emotional dimension”). Our data are in line with previous reports and suggest that hippotherapy shows distinct therapeutic strengths with regard to promoting upright stand and gait in children with cerebral palsy. Children with higher psychosocial burden of disease may need special support to get access to and benefit from intensified physiotherapy programs.

Keywords

hippotherapy - gross motor function - cerebral palsy - quality of life - physiotherapy

* Authors who have contributed equally


§ Mrs. Moll contributed to this publication in the course of her thesis.


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