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Hippotherapy to Improve the Balance of Children With Movement Disorders (HPOT)

Primary Purpose

Neuromuscular Diseases, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome

Status
Completed
Phase
Not Applicable
Locations
United States
Study Type
Interventional
Intervention
Hippotherapy
Sponsored by
Central Michigan University
About
Eligibility
Locations
Arms
Outcomes
Full info

About this trial

This is an interventional treatment trial for Neuromuscular Diseases focused on measuring hippotherapy, neuromuscular disorders, balance deficits, participation

Eligibility Criteria

5 Years - 17 Years (Child)All SexesDoes not accept healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria:

  • between the ages of 5 and 17
  • have a neuromuscular diagnosis or confirmed difficulties with balance
  • be able to stand 4 seconds without an assistive device
  • be able to follow testing instructions
  • must be under 250 pounds
  • be able to attend a minimum 10/12 sessions.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • any compounding orthopedic or medical condition not related to the primary developmental diagnosis.
  • previous hippotherapy intervention or therapeutic riding experience
  • allergies or aversion to horses.
  • refusal of parents to sign the therapeutic riding center's liability release form
  • any new treatments (includes therapies, drugs, or other complementary treatments) within one month of the start of the study or plans for new treatments during the intervention period
  • lack of a physician referral for physical therapy

Sites / Locations

  • CHUM Therapeutic Riding Center

Arms of the Study

Arm 1

Arm Type

Experimental

Arm Label

Treatment group

Arm Description

Children between 5-17 years who have balance deficits related to any movement disorder (preferably neuromuscular)

Outcomes

Primary Outcome Measures

Pediatric Balance Scale
The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a standardized 14 item test of various component activities related to balance. It is a modified child version of the adult Berg Balance Scale. The PBS has high total score test-retest reliability of ICC (3,1) =0.998, as well as good interrater reliability (ICC(3,1) = 0.997).1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Activities Scale for Kids
Activities Scale for Kids - Participation (ASKp) is a self-administered 30 item questionaire that measures the impact of children's disability to overall function and participation within relevant environments. It correlates well with parent reports on the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (r=0.81, p<0.000) and clinician observations of children's function (ICC=0.92, p<0.000).

Full Information

First Posted
March 9, 2011
Last Updated
March 10, 2011
Sponsor
Central Michigan University
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1. Study Identification

Unique Protocol Identification Number
NCT01313325
Brief Title
Hippotherapy to Improve the Balance of Children With Movement Disorders
Acronym
HPOT
Official Title
Hippotherapy to Improve Balance Deficits in a Cohort of Children With Movement Disorders: A Pilot Study
Study Type
Interventional

2. Study Status

Record Verification Date
March 2011
Overall Recruitment Status
Completed
Study Start Date
September 2006 (undefined)
Primary Completion Date
December 2007 (Actual)
Study Completion Date
December 2007 (Actual)

3. Sponsor/Collaborators

Name of the Sponsor
Central Michigan University

4. Oversight

Data Monitoring Committee
No

5. Study Description

Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if adding hippotherapy treatment will improve balance for children ages 5-17 who have disabilities such as cerebral palsy and down syndrome. We also want to find out if by improving their balance the children increase their participation in age appropriate activities.
Detailed Description
The primary purpose of this study is to determine the effects of hippotherapy on the balance of children with developmental disorders that cause mild to moderate balance problems. The secondary purpose is to determine if the use of hippotherapy also improves perceived functional abilities and thus quality of life as measured by the pediatric balance scale and Activities Scale for Kids (respectively)

6. Conditions and Keywords

Primary Disease or Condition Being Studied in the Trial, or the Focus of the Study
Neuromuscular Diseases, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Autism, Developmental Coordination Disorder
Keywords
hippotherapy, neuromuscular disorders, balance deficits, participation

7. Study Design

Primary Purpose
Treatment
Study Phase
Not Applicable
Interventional Study Model
Single Group Assignment
Masking
Outcomes Assessor
Allocation
N/A
Enrollment
16 (Actual)

8. Arms, Groups, and Interventions

Arm Title
Treatment group
Arm Type
Experimental
Arm Description
Children between 5-17 years who have balance deficits related to any movement disorder (preferably neuromuscular)
Intervention Type
Other
Intervention Name(s)
Hippotherapy
Intervention Description
Children will receive treatment by a licensed physical therapist using hippotherapy as the treatment strategy. This includes sitting on a horse who's movement is controlled by a horse leader, with the PT directing the movements required of the horse, as well as supplying supplemental cues to the participant. Alternative positions (such as sitting backward and sideways) may also be used during the treatment session.
Primary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Pediatric Balance Scale
Description
The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) is a standardized 14 item test of various component activities related to balance. It is a modified child version of the adult Berg Balance Scale. The PBS has high total score test-retest reliability of ICC (3,1) =0.998, as well as good interrater reliability (ICC(3,1) = 0.997).1
Time Frame
8-9 weeks
Secondary Outcome Measure Information:
Title
Activities Scale for Kids
Description
Activities Scale for Kids - Participation (ASKp) is a self-administered 30 item questionaire that measures the impact of children's disability to overall function and participation within relevant environments. It correlates well with parent reports on the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (r=0.81, p<0.000) and clinician observations of children's function (ICC=0.92, p<0.000).
Time Frame
8-9 weeks

10. Eligibility

Sex
All
Minimum Age & Unit of Time
5 Years
Maximum Age & Unit of Time
17 Years
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: between the ages of 5 and 17 have a neuromuscular diagnosis or confirmed difficulties with balance be able to stand 4 seconds without an assistive device be able to follow testing instructions must be under 250 pounds be able to attend a minimum 10/12 sessions. Exclusion Criteria: any compounding orthopedic or medical condition not related to the primary developmental diagnosis. previous hippotherapy intervention or therapeutic riding experience allergies or aversion to horses. refusal of parents to sign the therapeutic riding center's liability release form any new treatments (includes therapies, drugs, or other complementary treatments) within one month of the start of the study or plans for new treatments during the intervention period lack of a physician referral for physical therapy
Overall Study Officials:
First Name & Middle Initial & Last Name & Degree
Debbie J Silkwood-Sherer, PT, DHS
Organizational Affiliation
Central Michigan University
Official's Role
Principal Investigator
Facility Information:
Facility Name
CHUM Therapeutic Riding Center
City
Dansville
State/Province
Michigan
ZIP/Postal Code
48854
Country
United States

12. IPD Sharing Statement

Citations:
PubMed Identifier
19480872
Citation
McGibbon NH, Benda W, Duncan BR, Silkwood-Sherer D. Immediate and long-term effects of hippotherapy on symmetry of adductor muscle activity and functional ability in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2009 Jun;90(6):966-74. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2009.01.011.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
17057544
Citation
Casady RL, Nichols-Larsen DS. The effect of hippotherapy on ten children with cerebral palsy. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2004 Fall;16(3):165-72. doi: 10.1097/01.PEP.0000136003.15233.0C.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
14736353
Citation
Benda W, McGibbon NH, Grant KL. Improvements in muscle symmetry in children with cerebral palsy after equine-assisted therapy (hippotherapy). J Altern Complement Med. 2003 Dec;9(6):817-25. doi: 10.1089/107555303771952163.
Results Reference
background
PubMed Identifier
17558361
Citation
Silkwood-Sherer D, Warmbier H. Effects of hippotherapy on postural stability, in persons with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. J Neurol Phys Ther. 2007 Jun;31(2):77-84. doi: 10.1097/NPT.0b013e31806769f7.
Results Reference
background
Citation
Silkwood-Sherer D. Hippotherapy as an Intervention to Improve Postural Control of Children with Movement Disorders. Dev Med Child Neurol 51(S5):18-19, 2009 [abstract]
Results Reference
result
PubMed Identifier
22247403
Citation
Silkwood-Sherer DJ, Killian CB, Long TM, Martin KS. Hippotherapy--an intervention to habilitate balance deficits in children with movement disorders: a clinical trial. Phys Ther. 2012 May;92(5):707-17. doi: 10.2522/ptj.20110081. Epub 2012 Jan 12.
Results Reference
derived
Links:
URL
http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org
Description
Non profit organization that provides education, standards, terminology for physical, occupational and speech language pathologists using hippotherapy as part of their practice.

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Hippotherapy to Improve the Balance of Children With Movement Disorders

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