Equine-assisted intervention in children with spastic quadriplegia: The effect on function and balance A prospective study

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of equine-assisted intervention (EAI) in children with spastic quadriplegia. The parameters that evaluated were gross motor function, performance, balance, and spasticity, and whether the resulting improvement remained two months after the completion of the EAI. METHOD Fourteen children with spastic quadriplegia participated in the study that lasted 28 weeks. The intervention lasted 12 weeks and took place once per week for 30 minutes. Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), Gross Motor Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC III) were used for the evaluation of each child's physical performance and mental capacity. RESULTS The results showed statistically significant improvements in total GMFM and in all subcategories (p<0.05), also in total GMPM, and all subcategories (p<0.05), and PBS. These GMFM and PBS results remained present two months after the last session of EAI. A spasticity improvement trend was seen but without reaching statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study suggest that EAI improves gross motor function, gross motor performance and balance in children with spastic quadriplegia, with clinical significance.