Trial Examines Short-term Effects of Hippotherapy on Fascia Properties and Quality of Life in Children With CP.

Launched by UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTRE LJUBLJANA · Aug 19, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how hippotherapy—that is, therapeutic horseback riding—affects certain tissues in the back (called the thoracolumbar fascia) and the overall quality of life for children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). While hippotherapy is already known to help with movement, balance, and muscle tightness in kids with CP, this study is trying to understand its short-term effects on the back’s soft tissues and how these changes might relate to improvements in physical function and daily well-being. The study will compare children who receive hippotherapy once a week, twice a week, or not at all over four weeks, measuring changes in tissue properties, walking ability, balance, and quality of life through simple tests and questionnaires.

Children between 4 and 12 years old with spastic CP who are already receiving physical therapy and meet specific movement ability levels (GMFCS level II or III) may be eligible. Kids who have had recent surgery or certain medical conditions, or who are afraid of horses, would not be able to join. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the groups and will undergo assessments before, during, and after the therapy period. This study aims to help understand how hippotherapy works on a physical level and whether more frequent sessions lead to better outcomes, ultimately supporting better, personalized care to improve the lives of children with CP and their families.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • classified as level II or III according to the GMFCS, and who, according to the assessment of a specialist physician, are indicated for hippotherapy aged between 4 and 12 years
• • who are undergoing neurophysiotherapeutic treatment
• • who have not undergone orthopedic surgery in the last six months and do not have uncontrolled epilepsy
• • are willing to be randomly assigned to any group (or whose parents/caregiver's consent)
• • understand instructions in Slovene and are willing to participate in the study for four weeks (or whose parents/ caregiver's consent)
• • without skin diseases, scars, or wounds on the examined part of the back
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • who have previously participated in a hippotherapy program
• • with a known and diagnosed psychiatric disorder for which hippotherapy is contraindicated
• • with limitations due to hearing or visual impairment
• • with painful adductor contractures, painful subluxation, or hip dislocation are not willing to be randomly assigned to any group (or whose parents/caregiver's consent)
• • who are afraid of horses or have an allergy to horsehair
• • with skin diseases, scars, or wounds on the examined part of the back