NCT01621984

Brief Summary

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.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
60

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for phase_1

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2012

Longer than P75 for phase_1

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 1, 2012

Completed
11 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

June 12, 2012

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 18, 2012

Completed
4.3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

October 1, 2016

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

October 1, 2016

Completed
Last Updated

November 19, 2018

Status Verified

November 1, 2018

Enrollment Period

4.3 years

First QC Date

June 12, 2012

Last Update Submit

November 15, 2018

Conditions

Keywords

Cerebral palsybrain injuryspinal cord injuriesmuscular disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • 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 Outcomes (4)

  • Improvement in Gross Motor Function

    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

    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

    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

    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.

Study Arms (2)

Therapeutic Riding/ Hippotherapy

EXPERIMENTAL

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

without Therapeutic Riding/ Hippotherapy

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

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.

Also known as: therapeutic riding/hippotherapy
Therapeutic Riding/ Hippotherapy

Eligibility Criteria

Age4 Years - 18 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsChild (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • Children with neuromuscular disease
  • Parental consent
  • Sitting posture capability
  • Hip abduction capability on horseback
  • Ability to communicate and collaborate with the researcher

You may not qualify if:

  • 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

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University Hospital of Ioannina

Ioannina, Greece

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neuromuscular DiseasesCerebral PalsyBrain InjuriesSpinal Cord InjuriesMuscular Diseases

Interventions

Equine-Assisted Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Nervous System DiseasesBrain Damage, ChronicBrain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesCraniocerebral TraumaTrauma, Nervous SystemWounds and InjuriesSpinal Cord DiseasesMusculoskeletal Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Animal Assisted TherapyRehabilitationAftercareContinuity of Patient CarePatient CareTherapeuticsPhysical Therapy ModalitiesPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

  • Avraam Ploumis

    University Hospital, Ioannina

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 1
Allocation
NA
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
SINGLE GROUP
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Assistant Professor of PMR, Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

June 12, 2012

First Posted

June 18, 2012

Study Start

June 1, 2012

Primary Completion

October 1, 2016

Study Completion

October 1, 2016

Last Updated

November 19, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-11

Locations