Hippotherapy as an Alternative Rehabilitation Method in Children with Postural Balance Disorders

Abstract

Using the movement of a horse, hippotherapy is a type of treatment meant to enhance the motor and psychosocial capabilities of children with infantile cerebral palsy (ICP). This approach is predicated on the idea that the horse's movement reflects the human gait pattern, so fostering motor skills development and central nervous system stimulation. The research's goal was to develop and evaluate the efficacy of hippotherapy as an alternative rehabilitation technique for children with cerebral palsy (CP), specifically in addressing postural balance difficulties. Research subjects: four youngsters (one girl and three boys) spanning four to six years were diagnosed with different forms of cerebral palsy. Finally, the study validates that in children with cerebral palsy, a customized rehabilitation program integrating hippotherapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy greatly enhances postural balance, mobility, and motor performance. Key words: Using the movement of a horse, hippotherapy is a type of treatment meant to enhance the motor and psychosocial capabilities of children with infantile cerebral palsy (ICP). This approach is predicated on the idea that the horse's movement reflects the human gait pattern, so fostering motor skills development and central nervous system stimulation. The research's goal was to develop and evaluate the efficacy of hippotherapy as an alternative rehabilitation technique for children with cerebral palsy (CP), specifically in addressing postural balance difficulties. Research subjects: four youngsters (one girl and three boys) spanning four to six years were diagnosed with different forms of cerebral palsy. Finally, the study validates that in children with cerebral palsy, a customized rehabilitation program integrating hippotherapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy greatly enhances postural balance, mobility, and motor performance. Key words: Using the movement of a horse, hippotherapy is a type of treatment meant to enhance the motor and psychosocial capabilities of children with infantile cerebral palsy (ICP). This approach is predicated on the idea that the horse's movement reflects the human gait pattern, so fostering motor skills development and central nervous system stimulation. The research's goal was to develop and evaluate the efficacy of hippotherapy as an alternative rehabilitation technique for children with cerebral palsy (CP), specifically in addressing postural balance difficulties. Research subjects: four youngsters (one girl and three boys) spanning four to six years were diagnosed with different forms of cerebral palsy. Finally, the study validates that in children with cerebral palsy, a customized rehabilitation program integrating hippotherapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy greatly enhances postural balance, mobility, and motor performance.