Clinical effects of equine-assisted therapeutic exercises in static and dynamic balance of children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of equine-assisted therapy for the static and dynamic balance in the rehabilitation of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy maintaining obtained improvement 8-weeks after the end of the intervention.

METHOD: The study lasted 28 weeks, of which the intervention lasted 12 weeks. Measurements were taken before, in the middle, after the end of the intervention and follow-up after 12 weeks. Paediatric Balance Scale and dynamic plate were used to evaluate the balance. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd edition) was used to assess mental capacity, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System for the assessment of functional capacity for the participants. Exercises on the horseback were individualised for every participant.

RESULTS: The study comprised 27 participants with cerebral palsy. Statistically significant improvements were found for the Paediatric Balance Scale (p<0.001) and the mean dynamic plate pressure for both feet (p<0.05). The Paediatric Balance Scale results remained in the follow-up and were found clinically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that this type of approach in rehabilitation can be beneficial with clinical significance for improving the motor dysfunctions and quality of life in cerebral palsy.