Hippotherapy is a form of physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input. A foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing, which can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities. Unlike therapeutic horseback riding (where specific riding skills are taught), the movement of the horse is a means to a treatment goal when utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. Hippotherapy has been used to treat patients with neurological or other disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, behavioral disorders and psychiatric disorders. The effectiveness of hippotherapy for many of these indications is unclear, and more research has been needed. Here, we purpose to give information about hippotherapy which is not known adequately by many clinicians and health workers.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5175116 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.14744/nci.2016.71601 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Heart rate and salivary cortisol as indicators of arousal and synchrony in clients, therapy horses and therapist in equine-assisted therapy.
Complement Ther Clin Pract
January 2025
Department of Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, Vienna, 1210, Austria; Karl Landsteiner Research Institute for Neurochemistry, Neuropharmacology, Neurorehabilitation and Pain Treatment, Hausmeninger Straße 221, Mauer, 3362, Austria. Electronic address:
Background: This exploratory study aimed to analyse physiological interaction processes in equine-assisted-therapy (EAT) between client, therapy horse and therapist.
Methods: We measured heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) and cortisol levels before, during and after a standardized therapy session and a control condition in one therapist, four therapy horses and ten female clients in emerging adulthood (Mn = 21.8 years, SD = 3.
Effects of Hippotherapy and Horse-Riding Simulators on Gross Motor Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review.
J Clin Med
January 2025
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Sports, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain.
: Cerebral palsy (CP) can have a negative impact on gross motor function. Conventional hippotherapy and horse-riding simulators (HRS) have shown promising results on gross motor function in populations with neurological disorders. This review aims to update the knowledge on the effectiveness of hippotherapy on gross motor function in children with CP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEmotional and Motor Improvements in Children With ADHD Following Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy.
OTJR (Thorofare N J)
December 2024
Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, as children may present developmental and chronic impairments in cognitive-emotional and sensory-motor aspects. This study examined the changes in self-efficacy, muscle tone, and mood following a single session of Equine-Assisted Occupational Therapy (EAOT) within Attention Skills Therapy (ASTride) intervention, designed to improve emotional and cognitive functions. Notably, 31 children diagnosed with ADHD aged 6-12 (mean age 10.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImpact of equine interactions on human acute pain perception: Two cross sectional studies.
Br J Pain
November 2024
Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Background: Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapy, usually involving dogs, as a way to reduce pain in inpatient and outpatient populations. Here two studies investigate the effectiveness of interacting with horses for reducing human acute pain perception.
Methods: In Study 1, a blood-pressure cuff was used to administer acute ischaemic pain to 70 adult participants, who were allocated to one of three groups: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Horse Interaction without EAP (HI), and a Control (no horses present).
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!