The efficacy of Equine Assisted Therapy intervention in gross motor function, performance, and spasticity in children with Cerebral Palsy.
Authors: Stergiou Alexandra N, Mattila-Rautiainen Sanna, Varvarousis Dimitrios N, Tzoufi Meropi, Plyta Panagiota, Beris Alexandros, Ploumis Avraam
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Assisted Therapy and Cerebral Palsy Motor Function Researchers evaluated whether regular interaction with horses could meaningfully improve motor control and physical performance in children with cerebral palsy, addressing a gap in evidence for this increasingly popular therapeutic modality. Thirty-one children participated in a 12-week programme of weekly 30-minute equine-assisted therapy sessions, with assessments conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and two months later using the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), Gross Motor Performance Measure (GMPM), spasticity measures, and cognitive testing. Statistically significant improvements emerged across all gross motor function categories (p<0.005) and motor performance measures (p<0.005), with gains maintained throughout the two-month follow-up period, whilst spasticity showed trends towards improvement that did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that regular mounted work offers quantifiable benefits to motor coordination and functional capacity in this population, potentially through mechanisms including weight distribution challenges, rhythmic sensory input, and postural demands inherent to horsemanship. For practitioners, this evidence supports equine therapy as a complementary intervention within a structured rehabilitation programme, though integration with conventional physiotherapy and realistic expectations regarding spasticity management remain essential considerations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Equine Assisted Therapy can provide meaningful improvements in motor control and functional ability for children with cerebral palsy, with benefits sustained after treatment ends
- •Once-weekly 30-minute sessions over 12 weeks appear sufficient to produce measurable, clinically relevant motor improvements
- •While spasticity reduction was not statistically proven, the motor function gains suggest value in equine-assisted approaches for pediatric rehabilitation
Key Findings
- •Equine Assisted Therapy produced statistically significant improvements in Gross Motor Function Measure scores (p<0.005) across all subcategories in 31 children with Cerebral Palsy
- •Significant improvements in Gross Motor Performance Measure and all subcategories were achieved (p<0.005)
- •Improvements in gross motor function were maintained for 2 months following the end of 12-week intervention
- •Spasticity showed an improving trend but did not reach statistical significance