Horseback riding therapy in addition to conventional rehabilitation program decreases spasticity in children with cerebral palsy: A small sample study

• The short-term effects of horseback riding therapy in addition to a conventional rehabilitation program were investigated.
• Horseback riding therapy with a conventional program may improve adductor spasticity in children with cerebral palsy.
• Horseback riding therapy did not improve scores on the Gross Motor Function Classification System on short-term follow-up.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effects of horseback riding therapy in addition to a conventional rehabilitation program in children with cerebral palsy.MethodsNine children receiving horseback riding therapy in addition to conventional rehabilitation (Group 1) and seven children receiving conventional rehabilitation alone (Group 2) were assessed at baseline and 5 weeks later. Assessed were: modified functional reach test (MFRT), hip abduction angle, the Ashworth Scale for hip adductor muscle spasticity, knee distance test, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).ResultsThe percentage change in hip adductor spasticity on the Ashworth Scale was 22% in Group 1 and 0% in Group 2 (significant difference; p = 0.016). Comparison of changes on the MFRT, GMFCS, knee distance test and hip abduction angle showed that the differences between Groups 1 and 2 were not significant.ConclusionsIn these children, horseback riding therapy in addition to conventional rehabilitation resulted in significant improvement in adductor spasticity on short-term follow-up.