TY - JOUR
T1 - Hippotherapy effects on trunk, pelvic, and hip motion during ambulation in children with neurological impairments
AU - Encheff, Jenna L.
AU - Armstrong, Charles
AU - Masterson, Michelle
AU - Fox, Christine
AU - Gribble, Phillip
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2012 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of a 10-week hippotherapy program on trunk, pelvis, and hip joint positioning during the stance phase of gait. METHODS: Eleven children (6 boys and 5 girls; 7.9 ± 2.7 years) with neurological disorders and impaired ambulation participated. Joint range of motion data were collected via 3-dimensional computerized gait analysis before and after the program. Paired t tests were performed on kinematic data for each joint. RESULTS: Significant improvements (P ≤ .008) and large effect sizes (ESs) for sagittal plane hip positions at initial contact and toe-off were found. No differences in pelvic or trunk positioning were determined, although sagittal plane pelvic positioning displayed a trend toward improvement with large ESs. Several trunk variables displayed moderate ESs with a trend toward more upright positioning. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in pelvic and hip joint positioning and more normalized vertical trunk position may indicate increased postural control during gait after 10 sessions of hippotherapy.
AB - PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of a 10-week hippotherapy program on trunk, pelvis, and hip joint positioning during the stance phase of gait. METHODS: Eleven children (6 boys and 5 girls; 7.9 ± 2.7 years) with neurological disorders and impaired ambulation participated. Joint range of motion data were collected via 3-dimensional computerized gait analysis before and after the program. Paired t tests were performed on kinematic data for each joint. RESULTS: Significant improvements (P ≤ .008) and large effect sizes (ESs) for sagittal plane hip positions at initial contact and toe-off were found. No differences in pelvic or trunk positioning were determined, although sagittal plane pelvic positioning displayed a trend toward improvement with large ESs. Several trunk variables displayed moderate ESs with a trend toward more upright positioning. CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in pelvic and hip joint positioning and more normalized vertical trunk position may indicate increased postural control during gait after 10 sessions of hippotherapy.
KW - child
KW - equine-assisted therapy
KW - gait
KW - hippotherapy
KW - kinematics
KW - neurologic disorders
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U2 - 10.1097/PEP.0b013e31825c1dc3
DO - 10.1097/PEP.0b013e31825c1dc3
M3 - Review article
C2 - 22735473
AN - SCOPUS:84863315775
SN - 0898-5669
VL - 24
SP - 242
EP - 250
JO - Pediatric Physical Therapy
JF - Pediatric Physical Therapy
IS - 3
ER -