EFFECTS OF HIPPOTHERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

NCT07739680 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 61.2026fbu
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorders affecting movement and posture due to non-progressive disturbances in the developing brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on physical function, including balance, trunk control, posture, and handgrip strength, as well as bladder and bowel symptoms and family quality of life in children with cerebral palsy.

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy, Congenital

Keywords

Cerebral Palsy; Children; Hippotherapy; Physical function; Postural balance; Bladder and bowel dysfunction; Hand grip strength; Trunk control; Quality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Balance

  Balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale, a 14-item scale evaluating sitting balance, standing balance, transfers, reaching, turning, and stepping activities. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance performance. The scale will be administered by a physiotherapist.

  Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

• Trunk Control

  Trunk control will be assessed using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 58, with higher scores indicating better trunk control. The assessment will be administered by a physiotherapist.

  Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

• Posture

  Postural alignment will be assessed using the New York Posture Rating Chart. The total score ranges from 13 to 65, with higher scores indicating better postural alignment. The assessment will be performed by a physiotherapist.

  Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

• Handgrip Strength

  Handgrip strength will be measured in kilograms using a hand dynamometer. Three measurements will be obtained for each hand, with a 1-minute rest period between measurements. The mean value of the three measurements will be used in the analysis. Higher values indicate greater handgrip strength.

  Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

• Bladder and Bowel Symptoms

  Bladder and bowel symptoms will be assessed using the Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. The questionnaire will be completed by the child with parental assistance.

  Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

• Familiy Quality of Life

  Family quality of life will be assessed using the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Primary Caregiver Form (CP QOL-Child). Each domain is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. The questionnaire will be completed by the child's parent or primary caregiver.

  Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention

Study Arms (2)

Hippotherapy Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Hippotherapy Program

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Special Education Program

Interventions

Hippotherapy Program OTHER

Participants will receive 30-minute hippotherapy sessions once weekly for 8 weeks in addition to their ongoing special education program. The program will include exercises targeting balance, postural control, trunk stabilization, coordination, muscle strength, upper extremity function, and sensory processing.

Hippotherapy Group

Special Education Program OTHER

Participants will continue their ongoing special education program throughout the 8-week study period. The program includes educational activities, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, proprioceptive activities, and sensory-based interventions according to the individual needs of the child.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 7 Years - 15 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Being between 7 and 15 years of age, Having a diagnosis of cerebral palsy confirmed by a specialist physician, Having a Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level between I and III, Being able to understand and follow basic verbal commands, Being able to stand independently for at least 30 seconds, Having no medical contraindications to participation in hippotherapy, Volunteering to participate in the study and providing written informed consent from a parent or legal representative.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of an active infection, Bladder and bowel symptoms caused by an organic condition, such as Hirschsprung disease or anorectal malformation, Having received hippotherapy within the previous 12 months, Having uncontrolled epilepsy or having experienced a seizure within the previous 6 months, Being unable to comply with the assessment or treatment program because of severe behavioral problems, Being unable to attend the treatment program regularly, Having undergone surgery affecting the spine, pelvis, or lower extremities within the previous 12 months, Presence of severe hip dislocation, atlantoaxial instability, uncontrolled scoliosis, or other orthopedic conditions that constitute a contraindication to hippotherapy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Fenerbahce University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University

Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cerebral Palsy; Intestinal Diseases

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Damage, Chronic; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases

Central Study Contacts

Seyda Toprak Celenay, PhD

CONTACT

+90 312 906 2000; sydtoprak@hotmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 28, 2026
• First Posted: July 31, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): May 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 31, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)