Neurorehabilitation Through Hippotherapy of a Brain Stroke

Launched by ALLIANCE EQUIPHORIA · Feb 15, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring the effects of hippotherapy—therapy that involves riding specially trained horses—on patients recovering from a stroke. The study aims to find out how this unique approach, combined with traditional rehabilitation, can help improve the patients' ability to function independently and enhance their overall quality of life. It will also look at how this therapy impacts the well-being of their caregivers. The program lasts for 22 weeks, including several cycles of hippotherapy sessions, where participants will ride for one hour a day, followed by periods of rest and traditional therapy.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be at least 18 years old and have experienced a stroke more than three months ago, still showing some deficits in their abilities. They should also have a specific score indicating their level of disability. The trial is open to all genders, and participants need to provide informed consent and have their doctor confirm they can safely participate. It's important to note that certain conditions, like severe cognitive difficulties or uncontrolled medical issues, may prevent someone from joining the study. Overall, this trial aims to assess how effective hippotherapy can be in helping stroke survivors regain their independence and improve their life's quality.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18 years old
• • Ischemic or haemorrhagic stroke according to ICD 10 I61-I69 (30)
• • Inclusion \> 3 months post-stroke
• • Deficit still existing (Rankin score ≥ 3 and ≤ 4 at inclusion)
• • Existing declaration of informed consent
• • Affiliation of the patient to a social security scheme
• • Minimal abduction of the hip of 25 degrees bilateral with no history of hip dislocation and/or dysplasia
• • Certificate of non-contraindication issued by the referring physician
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Major cognitive impairment affecting comprehension (Mini Mental State Examination test \< 24 points)
• • Global or sensory aphasia
• • Neurological or psychiatric co-morbidity (other than mild-to-moderate post-stroke depression)
• • Evidence of an uncontrolled seizure disorder
• • Substance abuse
• • History of uncontrolled pain
• • History of allergic reactions to dust and/or horsehair, or severe asthma
• • Overweight (≥ 110 kg)
• • Contraindications to physical activity
• • Inability or medical contraindication to travel to the Equiphoria Institute by personal car or taxi
• • History of horse riding or hippotherapy care during the last 6 months
• • Pregnant or lactating women
• • Patients participating in other biomedical research or in a period of exclusion