Clinical trial NCT05297149: Effect of Hippotherapy in Children With Down Syndrome
Official title: Effect of Hippotherapy on Balance, Functional Mobility, and Functional Independence in Children With Down Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Down Syndrome
Keywords: Hippotherapy
Functional Mobility
Balance
Down Syndrome
Lead sponsor: Halic University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2022-03-28
Enrollment: 34
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 4
Maximum age (years): 14
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Brief summary: Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hippotherapy on balance, functional mobility, and functional independence in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods: Thirty-four children with DS were randomly assigned to the experimental (hippotherapy) and control groups after initial assessment. Both groups received physiotherapy including balance exercises, and the experimental group also received hippotherapy. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) were used before and after the intervention.

Detailed description: Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of hippotherapy on balance, functional mobility, and functional independence in children with Down syndrome (DS).

Methods: Thirty-four children with DS were randomly assigned to the experimental (hippotherapy) and control groups after initial assessment. Both groups received physiotherapy including balance exercises, and the experimental group also received hippotherapy. Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) were used before and after the intervention.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* diagnosed with down syndrome
* being aged 4 to 14 years
* being voluntary

Exclusion Criteria:

* having a history of previous hippotherapy intervention,
* having a phobia related to horse riding, epileptic seizures, atlantoaxial instability, and
* having any orthopedic, neurological, or cardiovascular disease that prevents physical activity.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)
timeFrame: Change from baseline PBS at 6th week
measure: Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)
timeFrame: Change from baseline TUG at 6th week
measure: Pediatric Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)
timeFrame: Change from baseline WeeFIM at 6th week
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Istanbul
country: Turkey
facility: Haliç University
Study officials:
affiliation: Haliç University
name: Seda Saka, PT, PhD
role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
References:
citation: Bronson C, Brewerton K, Ong J, Palanca C, Sullivan SJ. Does hippotherapy improve balance in persons with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2010 Sep;46(3):347-53. Epub 2010 Apr 13.
citation: Moriello G, Terpstra ME, Earl J. Outcomes following physical therapy incorporating hippotherapy on neuromotor function and bladder control in children with Down syndrome: A case series. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2020;40(3):247-260. doi: 10.1080/01942638.2019.1615601. Epub 2019 May 20.
citation: Portaro S, Cacciola A, Naro A, Cavallaro F, Gemelli G, Aliberti B, De Luca R, Calabro RS, Milardi D. Can Individuals with Down Syndrome Benefit from Hippotherapy? An Exploratory Study on Gait and Balance. Dev Neurorehabil. 2020 Aug;23(6):337-342. doi: 10.1080/17518423.2019.1646830. Epub 2019 Jul 25.