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Publication
Hippotherapy improves gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: evidence from a systematic review
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
"Hippotherapy uses horse movement to promote physical and psychosocial rehabilitation and may benefit children with cerebral palsy (CP). Standardised instruments such as the Activity Scale for Kids-Performance (ASK©), the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) are needed to quantify effects on motor function. To systematically review the effects of hippotherapy on gross motor skills in children with CP. Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was included in the search strategy, no eligible ASD studies were identified. Following PRISMA guidelines, six databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Cochrane and
SciELO) were searched for English, Portuguese or Spanish studies employing ASK©, GMFCS or GMFM. Two reviewers independently screened records, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Twenty-five studies (602 participants, mean age 7.1 years, 3–14) met inclusion criteria; all involved CP, none
ASD. Interventions lasted 8–24 weeks (1–3 sessions/week). Two ASK© studies showed significant motor gains
(Hedges g=0.48–0.62). GMFM was used in 22 studies; 20 reported clinically relevant improvements, particularly in
dimensions D (standing) and E (walking, running, jumping). The sole GMFCS study reported no change in classification. Methodological quality was moderate, limited by small samples and lack of blinding. Hippotherapy improves gross motor function in CP, best demonstrated with GMFM. Evidence for ASD is
absent, highlighting a research gap. Broader application of ASK© and GMFCS is still needed to better define benefits across neurodevelopmental disorders."
Description
Keywords
Hippotherapy Cerebral palsy Gross motor function Child Motor skills Rehabilitation Treatment outcome Animal-assisted therapy
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Bernardino, I., Borges, D. F., Casalta-Lopes, J., & Soares, J. I. (2025). Hippotherapy improves gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: Evidence from a systematic review. SAGE Publications, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/10538135251387278
Publisher
SAGE Publications