Therapeutic Riding and Neuromuscular Disease

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this current prospective study is to assess the effects of a Therapeutic Riding exercise program conducted in patients suffering from neuromuscular disease. The exercise intervention aims at improving gross motor function, gross motor performance, balance, spasticity, posture and quality of life. Patients were randomized according to age, sex, mental ability and gross motor function. Furthermore, patients will be subdivided into categories of central nervous system (brain/ spinal cord) and peripheral (peripheral nerve or muscle) diseases. The exercise program duration will be 12 weeks, once a week with 30-40 minutes sessions. Six measurements will be conducted: the Gross Motor Function Measure, the Gross Motor Performance Measure, the Quality of life Questionnaire for Children, the Pediatric Balance Scale, the dynamic plate in combination with x-ray for posture control, the Modified Ashworth Scale for spasticity and the Wisc 3 for mental ability. The results will be collected and evaluated using the statistical programme SPSS.

Official Title
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The Evaluation of Therapeutic Riding in Children and Adolescent With Kinetic Deficits Because of Neuromuscular Disease.

Conditions
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Neuromuscular Disease

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Therapeutic Riding/ Hippotherapy Intervention


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Children with neuromuscular disease Parental consent Sitting posture capability Hip abduction capability on horseback Ability to communicate and collaborate with the researcher Exclusion Criteria: Children with Scheuermann disease uncontrolled seizures (A) child with generalized seizure over 2 minutes in the last three months (B) Children who are not well-adjusted levels of antiepileptic drugs. musculoskeletal disorder that may be aggravated by the movement of the horse such as atlantoaxial instability, osteoporosis etc. Scoliosis > 30 degree Allergy to dust

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 4 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Therapeutic Riding/ Hippotherapy<br>12 week Therapeutic Riding program that focused on gross motor function, gross motor performance, balance, spasticity, posture and quality of life | Other: Therapeutic Riding/ Hippotherapy Intervention<br>* The Therapeutic Riding exercise intervention consisted exercises for warm up,transitions on the horseback, stretching exercises and exercises to strengthen muscles of trunk and four limps, games with balls and rings and walking of the horse to change directions as diagonal / lateral changes, cycles with open and closed eyes.<br>* Other names: therapeutic riding/hippotherapy;|
| No Intervention: without Therapeutic Riding/ Hippotherapy<br> | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline in posture control at different time points | posture control measured by the dynamic plate in combination with x-ray. | Measures will be done: 1 two months before treatment, 2 one month before treatment, 3 one day before start of treatment, 4 six weeks after the start of treatment, 5 twelve weeks, the end of treatment 6 two months after the end of treatment. | 
| Change from baseline in balance at different time points | Balance measured by the Pediatric Balance Scale | Measures will be done: 1 two months before treatment, 2 one month before treatment, 3 one day before start of treatment, 4 six weeks after the start of treatment, 5 twelve weeks, the end of treatment 6 two months after the end of treatment. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Improvement in Gross Motor Function | Gross Motor Function measured by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) | Measures will be done: 1 two months before treatment, 2 one month before treatment, 3 just before treatment, 4 six weeks after the start of treatment, 5 twelve weeks, the end of treatment 6 two months after the end of treatment. | 
| Improvement in Gross Motor Performance | Gross Motor Performance measured by the Gross Motor Performance Measure (GMPM) | Measures will be done: 1 two months before treatment, 2 one month before treatment, 3 just before treatment, 4 six weeks after the start of treatment, 5 twelve weeks, the end of treatment 6 two months after the end of treatment. | 
| Decrease of spasticity | Spastisity measured by the Modified Ashworth Scale | Measures will be done: 1 two months before treatment, 2 one month before treatment, 3 just before treatment, 4 six weeks after the start of treatment, 5 twelve weeks, the end of treatment 6 two months after the end of treatment. | 
| Improvement in Quality of life | Quality of life measured by the Quality of life Questionnaire for Children | Measures will be done: 1 two months before treatment, 2 one month before treatment, 3 just before treatment, 4 six weeks after the start of treatment, 5 twelve weeks, the end of treatment 6 two months after the end of treatment. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Cerebral palsy, brain injury, spinal cord injuries, muscular disease