Effects of Hippotherapy in Children With Cerebral Palsy
ConditionCerebral Palsy, Congenital
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age7-15
SponsorFenerbahce University
About this trial
Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorders affecting movement and posture due to non-progressive disturbances in the developing brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on physical function, including balance, trunk control, posture, and handgrip strength, as well as bladder and bowel symptoms and family quality of life in children with cerebral palsy.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Aged between 7 and 15 years
Diagnosis of cerebral palsy confirmed by a specialist physician
Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I-III
Ability to understand and follow basic verbal commands
Disqualifiers
Presence of an active infection
Bladder or bowel symptoms caused by an organic condition, such as -Hirschsprung disease or anorectal malformation
Receipt of hippotherapy within the previous 12 months
Uncontrolled epilepsy or a seizure within the previous 6 months
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Hippotherapy Program
Other interventionParticipants will receive 30-minute hippotherapy sessions once weekly for 8 weeks in addition to their ongoing special education program. The program will include exercises targeting balance, postural control, trunk stabilization, coordination, muscle strength, upper extremity function, and sensory processing.
Special Education Program
Other interventionParticipants will continue their ongoing special education program throughout the 8-week study period. The program includes educational activities, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, proprioceptive activities, and sensory-based interventions according to the individual needs of the child.
Treatment groups
30 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Hippotherapy GroupExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Control GroupActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Balance
Balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale, a 14-item scale evaluating sitting balance, standing balance, transfers, reaching, turning, and stepping activities. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance performance. The scale will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Time frame
Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention2
Trunk Control
Trunk control will be assessed using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 58, with higher scores indicating better trunk control. The assessment will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Time frame
Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention3
Posture
Postural alignment will be assessed using the New York Posture Rating Chart. The total score ranges from 13 to 65, with higher scores indicating better postural alignment. The assessment will be performed by a physiotherapist.
Time frame
Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention4
Handgrip Strength
Handgrip strength will be measured in kilograms using a hand dynamometer. Three measurements will be obtained for each hand, with a 1-minute rest period between measurements. The mean value of the three measurements will be used in the analysis. Higher values indicate greater handgrip strength.
Time frame
Baseline and at the end of the 8-week interventionSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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