Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Individuals with Disabilities: Effect on Hip Range of Motion

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Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Individuals with
Disabilities Effect on Hip Range of Motion

• By Maria Bergene
• Biology Senior Research Seminar
• Spring 2006

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Hypothesis

• Therapeutic horseback riding can improve hip
  range of motion (ROM) in individuals with
  disabilities.

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Why Hip ROM?

• Anatomical Biological Position of hips
• Problems associated with poor hip ROM
• How the horse can help

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Figure 1
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Benefits of Horseback Riding

• Psychological
• Self-Esteem
• Self-Image
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication
• General Behavior

• Physical
• Range of Motion
• Muscle Tone
• Posture
• Coordination
• Balance

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Disabilities

• Cerebral Palsy
• Down syndrome
• Mental Retardation
• Spina Bifida
• Autism
• Williams Syndrome

• Terminal 14q deletion
• Epilepsy
• Neurofibromatosis
• Developmental Delay
• Isodicentric 15
• Depression

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Participants

• 24 individuals were identified as candidates for
  this study.
• 5 males and 19 females
• Age range 5 32 years old

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Measures and Assessments

• Four ROM measurements at hip joint
• National Academy of Sports Medicine guide for
  Goniometric Assessment

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Flexion
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Extension
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Abduction
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Adduction
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Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders

• Founded in 1987
• Mission Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders, Inc. is a
  non-profit organization committed to enriching
  the lives of children and adults with
  disabilities from Fond du Lac and the
  surrounding area through safe, therapeutic
  interaction with horses.

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Treatment

• What was the duration of the treatment?
• When did evaluation of the 24 riders occur?
• How many riders completed the study?
• Who served as the control?

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Results

• ROM measurements over the first 12 weeks
  increased in all dimensions
• ROM measurements over the last 6 weeks decreased
  in all dimensions
• Flexion and Abduction results were significant
  (p lt 0.05)

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Flexion Results over 18 weeks
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Extension Results over 18 weeks
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Abduction Results over 18 weeks
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Adduction Results over 18 weeks
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Conclusions

• Therapeutic Horseback Riding does improve hip ROM
• Riding is not as effective on ROM in cold
  temperatures

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Special Thank You

• The Riders at Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders
• Mary Narges
• Dr. Lance Urven
• Professor Ron LaBorde
• Family and Friends

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Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders

• Program Site W3950 Hwy 23 East, FDL
• Phone Number [phone]
• E-mail info_at_freespiritriders.org
• Website http//www.freespiritriders.org