Development of Horse-Riding Program Model for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to develop healing riding algorithm applicable in rural riding centers and to apply this to children with cerebral palsy.

Detailed Description
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Horseback riding activities in Korea's riding centers have mostly centered on physical rehabilitation for children with special needs, including those with cerebral palsy, mental disabilities, and autism, with the program conducted by certified equine-assisted therapy instructors. However, there is no definite way to assess the ability of children for horseback riding and no standard riding program. Therefore, developing a assessment and program algorithm for healing horseback riding is expected to contribute to providing more activities for children with special needs and also for general people. Children older than 4 years old or adolescent with cerebral palsy who voluntarily want to enroll this study would be enrolled. Participants have 2 times of 30-minute horse riding program for 8 weeks, total 16 times of riding program in a local horse riding center. Sample size assessment: Calculating for 20% of drop out, 16 patients were calculated to apply the assessment and applicable program. Drop out: missing more than 2 lessons of horse-riding Plan for missing data: not included Statistical analysis plan: paired t-test for the outcome measures

Official Title
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Development of Horse-Riding Program Model for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Conditions
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Cerebral Palsy, Motor Activity

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Horseback riding therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Children or adolescent with cerebral palsy GMFCS level I, II, III Body weight less than 80 kg Exclusion Criteria: Medical condition who are not suitable for hippotherapy: severe osteoporosis, mental illness, not controlled seizure disorder etc. Social condition who are not suitable for hippotherapy

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 5 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: Supportive Care
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: hippotherapy<br>16 sessions of horseback riding therapy | Behavioral: Horseback riding therapy<br>* Apply 30 minutes/session, twice a week for 8 weeks of horseback riding therapy (provided with 1 horse rider, 2 side walkers)<br>* Other names: hippotherapy;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change of gross motor function (assessment of GMFM-88) | Assessment of GMFM-88 before and after the 16 sessions of horse riding program | Before the program starts (up to 2 weeks), After the program ends (up to 2 weeks) | 
| Change of Berg balance (assessment of pediatric berg balance scale) | Assessment of pediatric berg balance scale before and after the 16 sessions of horse riding | Before the program starts (up to 2 weeks), After the program ends (up to 2 weeks) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Actigraph (to monitor activity) | wear an Actigraph to monitor activity of children | During the horse riding therapy/ | 
| Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) | Caregivers answer the sheets | Before the program starts (up to 2 weeks), After the program ends (up to 2 weeks) | 
| Postural Assessment Scale for Hippotherapy (PASH) | Developed tool for assessment of ability for hippotherapy | From starting the therapy, every 2 weeks re-evaluated through study completion, in total 4 times | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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cerebral palsy, horseback riding