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Therapeutic horseback riding, also known as hippotherapy, when combined with standard care regimens significantly reduces fatigue and spasticity in multiple sclerosis. It also improves balance and quality of life, according to a German study.
Hippotherapy takes advantage of a horse’s natural movements to
develop a patient’s muscle tone and improve breathing, while strengthening the
torso muscles. Horseback riding also improves balance control, coordination and
gait, while boosting a patient’s social communication skills, which can benefit
self-esteem.
develop a patient’s muscle tone and improve breathing, while strengthening the
torso muscles. Horseback riding also improves balance control, coordination and
gait, while boosting a patient’s social communication skills, which can benefit
self-esteem.
“Hippotherapy as a complementary treatment can be defined as
one-patient-one-horse physiotherapy treatment with and on the horse,”
researchers wrote.
one-patient-one-horse physiotherapy treatment with and on the horse,”
researchers wrote.
Team leaders Vanessa Vermöhlen and Petra Schiller of the
University of Cologne evaluated the benefits of half-hour weekly sessions of
hippotherapy in combination with standard care. They randomly assigned 70 MS
patients with lower limb spasticity to either an intervention group that did 12
weeks of hippotherapy, or a control group that received only standard therapy.
University of Cologne evaluated the benefits of half-hour weekly sessions of
hippotherapy in combination with standard care. They randomly assigned 70 MS
patients with lower limb spasticity to either an intervention group that did 12
weeks of hippotherapy, or a control group that received only standard therapy.
The team evaluated the impact therapeutic horseback riding had
on balance, measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). They also measured its effect
on other multiple sclerosis symptoms and signs, including fatigue, quality of
life, pain, and spasticity.
on balance, measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). They also measured its effect
on other multiple sclerosis symptoms and signs, including fatigue, quality of
life, pain, and spasticity.
Overall, the team found that those who received hippotherapy
plus standard care improved their BBS scores by 4.8 points after six weeks of
therapy, and 6.4 by the trial’s end. These increases were significantly higher
than those achieved by the control group (2.9 points at six weeks and 3.1
points at 12 weeks).
plus standard care improved their BBS scores by 4.8 points after six weeks of
therapy, and 6.4 by the trial’s end. These increases were significantly higher
than those achieved by the control group (2.9 points at six weeks and 3.1
points at 12 weeks).
Although this represents a difference of only 3.3 points after
12 weeks, it still reflects a relevant change in patients’ balance control
capabilities, the authors said.
12 weeks, it still reflects a relevant change in patients’ balance control
capabilities, the authors said.
In addition, the researchers also recognized significant
improvements in fatigue, spasticity and quality of life of those undergoing
hippotherapy plus standard care compared to those on the control group.
improvements in fatigue, spasticity and quality of life of those undergoing
hippotherapy plus standard care compared to those on the control group.
The observed beneficial effects of hippotherapy validate
previous reports that showing that activities with horses could help adults and
children improve their balance, gait and psychomotor abilities.
previous reports that showing that activities with horses could help adults and
children improve their balance, gait and psychomotor abilities.
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