Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Trauma Informed Care In Hippotherapy, Erin M. Deren

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Healing Horses: An Occupational Therapy Approach In An Equine Environment, Ashlyn Renee Yoder

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Aim: This project focused on the development of advanced clinical skills of OT-based hippotherapy in a pediatric setting and program development of the Genesis Therapeutic Riding Center. Information was gathered from primary and secondary sources to promote student skill acquisition, client goal progress, and parent-caregiver education of at-home interventions.

Objective: Goals focused on gaining knowledge and competencies of OT-based hippotherapy, key clinical information, and interdisciplinary roles. The purpose of this project was to highlight the impact of staff responsibilities and OT-based hippotherapy on physical and cognitive deficits.

Method: OT hippotherapy session observation and facilitation, extensive literature review, and multidisciplinary interviews …

Hippotherapy Within Physical Therapy Treatment: Helping Patients With Cerebral Palsy Achieve Functional Goals, Grace Kucienski

Honors Capstones

Hippotherapy is a treatment tool that can be utilized by trained occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and physical therapists. It involves the utilization of a horse’s movement to facilitate certain sensory, adaptive, neuromotor, cognitive, and physical responses from a patient. The purpose of this project is to examine how hippotherapy as a treatment tool in physical therapy benefits children with cerebral palsy. The examination of this subject matter was conducted in a case study format. For twelve weeks, one patient with cerebral palsy’s physical therapy sessions utilizing hippotherapy were observed. During these sessions, her progress towards reaching a specific functional …

Does Hippotherapy Improve Gross Motor Function In Children With Cerebral Palsy?, Victoria I. Bockius

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not “Does hippotherapy improve gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy?”.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review of three randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with one being a randomized crossover trial. All three were published between 2015 and 2018.

DATA SOURCES: Three RCTs published in peer-reviewed journals were chosen from PubMed. The studies were selected based on their relevance to the clinical question.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome measured was improvement in gross motor function. Either hip adductor spasticity using Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) or the Gross Motor Function …

Culminating Project In Hippotherapy And Program Development, Taylor E. Bobo

Department of Occupational Therapy Entry-Level Capstone Projects

The purpose of this Capstone experience was to gain clinical skills for Hippotherapy and to develop a new program for a nonprofit organization to that allows people with disabilities an opportunity to acquire work or life skills while performing equine-related tasks, under the supervision of an occupational therapist. The student provided evidence-based research and formally conducted all of the necessary materials to initiate the program, however due to Covid-19, the student was unable to employ said program.

Equine-Assisted Activities: Increasing Participation And Quality Of Life For Individuals With Disabilities, Melissa Mabry

OTD Capstone Projects

The author partnered with a nonprofit organization, Saddle Up!, to incorporate an occupational therapy perspective in its work with children with disabilities and equine-assisted activities as part of the OTD capstone project.

Developing Educational Resources To Support The Use Of The Hippotherapy Evaluation And Assessment Tool, Emily Peoples

Student Capstone Papers

The Hippotherapy Evaluation and Assessment Tool (HEAT) was created in 2011 with the goal of creating an assessment specific to this therapeutic intervention and effectively tracking client progress. Based on the current literature of client progress during hippotherapy intervention, four domains of scoring were created: Static Posture, Dynamic Motor Behavior, Sensory Processing, and Psychosocial/Behavioral. Over the years, many thesis studies have been conducted to confirm the reliability and validity of the HEAT. However, further dissemination was required as many therapists had not yet heard of the tool. A doctoral capstone project was completed in 2019-2020 to create a training program …

Effectiveness Of Alternative Cerebral Palsy Treatments In Pediatrics: Systematic Review, Olivia Doria, Emily Fricker, Katrina Beery

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a multi-faceted movement disorder that affects the lives of approximately 500,000 children in America and millions across the globe. Traditional treatment involves physical and occupational therapies. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify, describe, and critically appraise the evidence about the effectiveness of alternative therapies including hippotherapy, aquatic therapy, and robotic gait training in children with CP. Researchers have found that these therapies improve gross motor function and balance. This review focuses on determining which age subpopulation would benefit most. A critical appraisal of studies is conducted and followed by recommendations for practice …

Is Hippotherapy Effective In Reducing The Fall Risk In Patients Diagnosed With A Stroke?, Danny Diaz

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not hippotherapy is effective in reducing fall risk in patients diagnosed with a stroke.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) between 2006-recent.

DATA SOURCES: Three non-blind RCTs published and obtained from PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each RCT measured balance by either using the Berg Balance Scale or the Bio Rescue (an analysis system with biofeedback).

RESULTS: All three articles found that hippotherapy significantly improved the balance of patients diagnosed with a stroke, when compared to the traditional physical therapy treatments of treadmill walking, …

Alternative Therapies For People With Special Needs: An Emphasis On Animal-Assisted Therapies, Emily Hamilton

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper contains research examining the effectiveness of alternative therapies - play therapy, art therapy, music therapy, horticulture therapy, and animal-assisted therapies – in helping various special needs populations. The focus of this research was on animal-assisted therapies that utilized therapy dogs or horses. These therapies provide a plethora of benefits physically, mentally, and psychologically. 11 interviews were conducted with counselors, psychologists, therapy dog owners, and an equine therapy director to further examine the effectiveness of these alternative therapy programs. Each interview presented unique evidence of the positive impact these therapies are having on various populations. All research into these …

Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Study Of Mikey, Gabrielle Lober

Honors Theses

This paper describes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) including diagnostic criteria, suspected causes, prevalence, comorbidities, and influences on client factors. A hypothetical case study is presented to give readers an illustration of what someone with ASD might look like. Possible treatment based on evidence and selected frame of references will be given for the hypothetical client. This paper is not all inclusive of the role of occupational therapy in the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, but gives an illustrative example.

The Effects Of Horseback Riding On The Gait Of Adolescents, Sarah L. Hayes

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes that occur in the gait of a set of subjects after they ride a horse. Eleven riders with a developmental disability were selected and included in an experimental group and nineteen “typical” subjects or those without a developmental disability were included as a second comparison group. The length of time the subjects were able to remain standing in a tandem stance and in a one-legged stance without becoming unbalanced was measured and recorded. The stride length of the subject’s second and third step from heel to heel was also …

The Effects Of Sustainability As A Positive Attribute On Equine Therapy Design: An Interdisciplinary Study, Andria Sinclair

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Interdisciplinary studies have brought benefits to introducing new solutions to the traditional environment and traditional therapies. Sustainability in relation to design has been suggested in 2006, by the Center for Building Performance and Diagnostic (CBPD) at Carnegie Mellon University to incorporate daylight, solar, heat and ventilation of the natural environment combined with the innovations of current technologies (Whitmore, 2011). This paper will look at how sustainability plays a key role of benefits including those that are health associated with equine therapy design and its relationship to the patient, or end user. Interdisciplinary research in the therapeutic value of equine-human bonding …

Incorporation Of Equine Assisted Therapy In University Curriculum, Shelby Y. Sabati

Animal Science

Equine-assisted activity and therapy incorporates physical, mental and language treatments through equine movement to remediate medical conditions or impairments in clients. For all the opportunities that equine-assisted therapy provides there is little education on the practice. The focus of this project is to present the process, benefits and limitations of adopting an equine-assisted therapy course at California Polytechnic State University so it may be used as a reference for future course proposal.

Objective: The aim of this proposal is to offer insight into Equine-assisted therapy, understanding how to integrate the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International curriculum into the …

A Cognitive Behavioral Approach To Occupational Therapy Hippothearpy [I.E.., Hippotherapy] For Children And Adolescents With Mood Disorders, Abby Heaton, Krista Tangen

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Children and adolescents are increasingly being identified with mood disorders. A growing concern is that children and adolescents are not afforded a wide range of interventions to address the symptoms of mental illness. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been identified as a useful treatment method for mood disorders. Hippotherapy has also been utilized in the treatment of mental illness. A literature review was conducted to explore the therapeutic benefits of cognitive behavioral therapy and hippotherapy for children and adolescents diagnosed with mood disorders. Although CBT has been recognized as useful, CBT methods applied to hippotherapy in occupational therapy does not …

A Hippotherapy Protocol For Occupational Therapists, Callie Holt, Kirsten Sonderland

Occupational Therapy Capstones

Hippotherapy is an occupational, physical, and speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy is utilized as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. In hippo therapy, the client engages in activities that are enjoyable and challenging while the therapist modifies the horse's movement and grades sensory input to improve neurological function and sensory processing (American Hippotherapy Association, 2003).

The purpose of this scholarly project was to create a hippotherapy protocol for occupational therapists interested in developing a hippotherapy program. It was the intent that this hippotherapy protocol be utilized with individuals of all ages who …

An Electromyography (Emg) Study Of Two Dynamic Surfaces: Hippotherapy And Swiss Ball, Melissa J. Metcalf, Roslyn J. Muller, Tanya L. Schimek, Erica H. Wheeler

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The use of horseback riding as a therapeutic intervention has been used since the fifth century, B.C.1 It has been proposed that the physical benefits of horseback riding include: improved posture, balance, muscle strength, decreased spasticity, improved gait patterns, and coordination. Unfortunately, at the current time, hippotherapy, the use of horses in physical therapy intervention, has been poorly documented due to little objective research. The purpose of this study was to provide an objective measure of children's postural muscle activity through the use of electromyography (EMG) and electrogoniometry on two dynamic surfaces. Data was analyzed for differences in postural muscle …

Hippotherapy As A Modality In Rehabilitation, H. Rebecca Adams

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Hippotherapy is fast becoming a treatment option for today's therapists. Recent efforts in rehabilitation have focused on emphasizing the "multidisciplinary team" approach, involving occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language pathologists as well as including members of the family in the clinic's treatment process. Hippotherapy is the way in which these disciplines can easily be combined, as well as including the family in an educational as well as exciting treatment program for clients. This study will review a wide source of literature addressing the definition and process of hippotherapy and the physiological components of the program. Indications, contraindications and precautions …

The Effect Of Hippotherapy On Sitting Balance In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Theresa A. Jurgens

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Hippotherapy programs have grown rapidly since 1969, when the first center opened in the United States. Despite the growing enthusiasm for hippotherapy in North America, research regarding the efficacy of hippotherapy is not well documented. Literature that pertains to the therapeutic benefits of hippotherapy consists primarily of descriptive articles containing subjective reports of riding instructors, riders, parents, and therapists. Hippotherapy is proposed to develop neuromuscular control, facilitate posture, elicit righting and equilibrium reactions, provide vestibular input, and improve psychological wellbeing. While these descriptive articles have identified variables to be empirically studied, few investigators have documented the therapeutic effects of hippotherapy. …

The Effect Of Hippotherapy On Lower Extremity Range Of Motion In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Jim Pitman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

It has been postulated that hippotherapy will help increase range of motion (ROM), pulmonary function, balance, and muscle tone in children with cerebral palsy and, therefore, may be used as a physical therapy modality. The purpose of this independent study is to objectively measure lower extremity range of motion in children with cerebral palsy after an eight-week hippotherapy program.

Six children diagnosed with cerebral palsy initially participated in the experiment using a repeated measure design. Only two subjects completed the study. No control group was used for this study. A consent form was signed prior to measuring LE ROM.

It …

A Literature Review Of The Fundamentals Of Hippotherapy, Laura Weisberg

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

For centuries, horses have been used to help rehabilitate people with neuromuscular disorders. However, not until recently has it been recognized as a treatment modality utilized in the practice of physical therapy. Hippotherapy is implemented by a licensed therapist who uses the multifaceted movement of the horse as a treatment modality to address a broad range of special needs in individuals with disabilities. Unfortunately, there is limited information provided on this subject.

In a review of the literature, I will discuss the history, the different theories, the treatment techniques, and the research that has been done on hippotherapy. The purpose …

Hippotherapy: A Survey Of Therapists Nationwide, Yvette J. Normandin

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was to survey physical therapists nationwide who are involved with North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) certified centers to obtain their perspectives regarding the need for more empirical research and outcome studies, benefits of Therapeutic Horseback Riding, and methods of objective evaluation utilized when determining patient improvement. Of the 261 surveys mailed, 125 (48.8%) were returned with 110 utilized for data interpretation.

Respondents indicated a large need for more empirical research to support therapeutic horseback riding as a treatment method and to facilitate increased acceptance by the medical field in general. Only a …

The Effect Of Therapeutic Horseback Riding Compared To Traditional Physical Therapy On Range Of Motion, Tone, Pulmonary Function, And Balance In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Rene Roze

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Therapeutic horseback riding programs have grown rapidly since 1969, when the first center opened in Michigan. Although therapeutic riding is a growing adjunctive therapy procedure, the claims that the program facilitates musculoskeletal and physiological improvements have never been objectively examined against a control group. The purpose of this independent study was to measure the effect of therapeutic horseback riding compared to traditional therapy on range of motion, pulmonary function, balance and muscle tone in children with cerebral palsy.

Twelve children underwent assessments according to the repeated measures design. Six children who received traditional therapy served as a control group, while …