The Effect of Hippotherapy Applied on Different Seating Surfaces in Children With Special Needs

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The effect of hippotherapy, which will be applied to children with special needs in a single session, on sitting balance and walking speed under the supervision of a physiotherapist was investigated. 30 randomly selected children with special needs between the ages of 3-18 who were referred to the Gebze Equestrian Training Center were included in the study. The children were randomly divided into 3 groups: 10 in the saddle, 10 naked (direct contact with the horse), and 10 in the hippotherapy group, in which a cloth of different texture was placed on the horse. Each group did a 30-minute hippotherapy session in the manege area. Before the application, the sitting balance of the children was evaluated by playing the Nintendo Wii Balance Platform and the Basic Balance Game. In addition, 10 m walking test was applied for walking speed. These assessments were repeated after the 30-minute session. It was checked whether the application had an effect on balance and walking speed. Comparisons between the groups were made and it was examined which application was more effective on balance and walking speed.

Official Title
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The Effect of Hippotherapy Applied on Different Sitting Surfaces on Sitting Balance and Walking Speed in Children With Special Needs

Conditions
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Special Needs Children

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: hippotherapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Having a child with special needs between the ages of 3-18, Children with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy (CP) have a level of 1 and 2 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System, Ability to understand simple commands, Ability to sit unaided for at least 10 seconds, Exclusion Criteria: Presence of clinical conditions that may pose an obstacle Lack of cooperation Presence in another study performed at the same time as the study Lack of family approval.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 3 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
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group 1 (Saddled)<br>Each group did a 30-minute hippotherapy session in the manege area. Before the application, the sitting balance of the children was evaluated by playing the Nintendo Wii Balance Platform and the Basic Balance Game. In addition, 10 m walking test was applied for walking speed. These assessments were repeated after the 30-minute session. | Other: hippotherapy<br>* Evaluation parameters were applied to 30 children with special needs at the beginning of the session. After the evaluation, each group was given a 30-minute hippotherapy session in the manege area. During the practice, the child simply sat on the horse. The horse was asked to maintain its balance by adapting to the oscillations it creates while walking on the sand. Immediately after the 30-minute application, the initial evaluations were made again. As a result, it was investigated whether hippotherapy applied on different sitting surfaces in children with special needs had an effect on sitting balance and walking speed.<br>|
| Experimental: Group 2 (Saddleless, direct contact with horse)<br>Each group did a 30-minute hippotherapy session in the manege area. Before the application, the sitting balance of the children was evaluated by playing the Nintendo Wii Balance Platform and the Basic Balance Game. In addition, 10 m walking test was applied for walking speed. These assessments were repeated after the 30-minute session. | Other: hippotherapy<br>* Evaluation parameters were applied to 30 children with special needs at the beginning of the session. After the evaluation, each group was given a 30-minute hippotherapy session in the manege area. During the practice, the child simply sat on the horse. The horse was asked to maintain its balance by adapting to the oscillations it creates while walking on the sand. Immediately after the 30-minute application, the initial evaluations were made again. As a result, it was investigated whether hippotherapy applied on different sitting surfaces in children with special needs had an effect on sitting balance and walking speed.<br>|
| Experimental: Group 3 (Different tissue to be put on the saddle)<br>Bubbled nylon (pat-to-pat) was used as a different texture. Each group did a 30-minute hippotherapy session in the manege area. Before the application, the sitting balance of the children was evaluated by playing the Nintendo Wii Balance Platform and the Basic Balance Game. In addition, 10 m walking test was applied for walking speed. These assessments were repeated after the 30-minute session. | Other: hippotherapy<br>* Evaluation parameters were applied to 30 children with special needs at the beginning of the session. After the evaluation, each group was given a 30-minute hippotherapy session in the manege area. During the practice, the child simply sat on the horse. The horse was asked to maintain its balance by adapting to the oscillations it creates while walking on the sand. Immediately after the 30-minute application, the initial evaluations were made again. As a result, it was investigated whether hippotherapy applied on different sitting surfaces in children with special needs had an effect on sitting balance and walking speed.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BeCure Balance Evaluation System | BeCure Balance Assessment System protocol; It was planned to determine the amount of change in the center of gravity in the x and y axes and the position of the body center of gravity during balancing by sitting on the board for 30 seconds with eyes open, with images. | 11 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ten(10) Meter Walking Test(sec) | In this test, the person is asked to walk at their own normal pace in a pre-measured 10 meter area (if using walking aid, it will be done with it). The time starts when the person's foot is on the starting line and ends when they cross the finish line. Two measurements are made and the best value is recorded in meters per second (m/s). | 11 weeks | 
| Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) | It was used to evaluate the motor functions of participants with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. It is a standardized method that classifies motor function differences in sitting and walking at 5 levels. If we examine the 5 levels; Level I walks without restrictions; Level II walks with restrictions; Level III walks using hand-held mobility devices; Level IV, independent self-mobility is limited and may use a motorized mobility vehicle; Level V is transported in a manual wheelchair. | 11 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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hippotherapy, sitting balance, child with special needs, walking speed