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document
Study of the therapeutic effects of a hippotherapy simulator in children with cerebral palsy : a stratified single-blind randomized controlled trial . OBJECTIVE To investigate whether hippotherapy ( when applied by a simulator ) improves postural control and balance in children with cerebral palsy . DESIGN Stratified single-blind randomized controlled trial with an independent assessor . Stratification was made by gross motor function classification system levels , and allocation was concealed . SUBJECTS Children between 4 and 18 years old with cerebral palsy . INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized to an intervention ( simulator ON ) or control ( simulator OFF ) group after getting informed consent . Treatment was provided once a week ( 15 minutes ) for 10 weeks . MAIN MEASURES Gross Motor Function Measure ( dimension B for balance and the Total Score ) and Sitting Assessment Scale were carried out at baseline ( prior to randomization ) , end of intervention and 12 weeks after completing the intervention . RESULTS Thirty-eight children participated . The groups were balanced at baseline . Sitting balance ( measured by dimension B of the Gross Motor Function Measure ) improved significantly in the treatment group ( effect size = 0.36 ; 95 % CI 0.01-0.71 ) and the effect size was greater in the severely disabled group ( effect size = 0.80 ; 95 % CI 0.13-1.47 ) . The improvements in sitting balance were not maintained over the follow-up period . Changes in the total score of the Gross Motor Function Measure and the Sitting Assessment Scale were not significant . CONCLUSION Hippotherapy with a simulator can improve sitting balance in cerebral palsy children who have higher levels of disability . However , this did not lead to a change in the overall function of these children ( Gross Motor Function Classification System level V ) .
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Intervention_Physical
hippotherapy simulator
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Intervention_Physical
hippotherapy ( when applied by a simulator )
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Intervention_Physical
intervention ( simulator ON )
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Intervention_Control
control ( simulator OFF )
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Intervention_Physical
Hippotherapy
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Outcome_Physical
Gross Motor Function Measure ( dimension B for balance and the Total Score ) and Sitting Assessment Scale
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Outcome_Physical
Sitting balance
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Outcome_Other
effect size
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Outcome_Physical
improvements in sitting balance
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Outcome_Physical
total score of the Gross Motor Function Measure
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Outcome_Physical
Sitting Assessment Scale
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Outcome_Physical
sitting balance
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
cerebral palsy
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
cerebral palsy
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Participant_Age
Children
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Participant_Age
4 and 18 years old
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Participant_Sample-size
Thirty-eight
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
cerebral palsy
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Participant_Age
children