Effect of Hippotherapy in Children With Down Syndrome

NCT05297149 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: ssaka4
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Down Syndrome

Keywords

Hippotherapy; Functional Mobility; Balance; Down Syndrome

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS)

  The PBS is a modified version of the Berg Balance Scale that is used to assess functional balance skills in children with mild to moderate motor impairment. The scale consists of 14 items that are scored from 0 (lowest function) to 4 (highest function) with a maximum score of 56 points. Lower scores indicate poorer balance. The PBS has been validated for use in children with neuromotor dysfunction.

  Change from baseline PBS at 6th week

• Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

  The TUG assesses balance and functional mobility. The time required for the person to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters forward, return to the chair, and sit down again was recorded. Times of 14 seconds or more are interpreted as high risk of falling. The TUG was reported to be reliable for assessing functional mobility in people with DS.

  Change from baseline TUG at 6th week

• Pediatric Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM)

  The WeeFIM is a pediatric version of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) that was developed to measures a child's consistent functional performance in essential daily functional skills (independence in self-care, sphincter control, transfers, locomotion, communication, and social cognition). It is an 18-item, 7-level ordinal scale instrument (score range: 18-126) and can be used for children with developmental disabilities aged 6 months to 21 years.

  Change from baseline WeeFIM at 6th week

Study Arms (2)

hippotherapy group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants that are performed hippotherapy

Behavioral: Hippotherapy

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants that are performed home exercise program

Behavioral: Home exrecises

Interventions

Hippotherapy BEHAVIORAL

The hippotherapy program consisted of 6 weekly sessions that varied in duration between 20 and 30 minutes depending on the weekly program and the participant's condition. Each session started with brief greetings and contact with the horse.

hippotherapy group

Home exrecises BEHAVIORAL

The home exercise program consisted of the following balance training exercises: one leg standing on foam with eyes open and closed, double leg standing on foam with eyes open and closed, walking in tandem with eyes open and closed, balance exercises on an inclined surface, balance exercises in squat, and jumping over an obstacle on the ground. All participants performed the exercises under parental supervision, 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The physiotherapist made video calls to the children and parents to ensure their adherence to the home exercise program.

Control group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 4 Years - 14 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

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

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Halic University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Haliç University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (3)

• 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.

  PMID: 20927000 RESULT

• 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.

  PMID: 31106675 RESULT

• 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.

  PMID: 31342817 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Down Syndrome

Interventions

Equine-Assisted Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intellectual Disability; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Abnormalities, Multiple; Congenital Abnormalities; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Chromosome Disorders; Genetic Diseases, Inborn

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Animal Assisted Therapy; Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities

Study Officials

• Seda Saka, PT, PhD

  Haliç University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PT PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 4, 2022
• First Posted: March 28, 2022
• Study Start: November 30, 2020
• Primary Completion: January 4, 2021
• Study Completion: January 25, 2021
• Last Updated: March 28, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)