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

NCT07134582 · Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 27

Last updated 2025-08-21

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The effects of hippotherapy on gross motor function, balance, and spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP) are well-documented, but its impact on the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) remains unexplored area to date. This research protocol aims to investigate the short-term effects of hippotherapy on the viscoelastic and biomechanical properties of the TLF and quality of life (QoL) in children with spastic CP and their parents/caregivers. A 4-week randomized control trial will compare the effects of once-weekly and twice-weekly hippotherapy sessions to a control group without intervention. The study will assess the viscoelastic and biomechanical properties of the TLF using the MyotonPRO device in children with spastic CP aged 4-12 years. Myotonometer parameters, including oscillation frequency, stiffness, logarithmic decrement, stress relaxation, and creep, will be analyzed before, during, and after the intervention. Functional tests, such as the 10-meter walk test (comfortable and fast walking), cadence, one-leg stance test (eyes open and closed), and functional reach test (forward and lateral), will also be monitored. QoL will be assessed using the CP QOL-Child questionnaire. The primary outcomes will include changes in myotonometer parameters, their correlation with functional tests, and differences between intervention groups. Secondary outcomes will explore whether hippotherapy impacts QoL and the relationship between QoL domains and TLF properties. Results will evaluate whether twice-weekly therapy yields statistically significant differences in the specified parameters compared once-weekly sessions and contribute to understanding hippotherapy's mechanisms, supporting more individualized therapies to improve QoL for children with CP and their families.

Conditions

  • Cerebral Palsy (CP)
  • Rehabilitation
  • Motor Coordination or Function
  • Hippotherapy
  • Fascia
  • Quality of Life

Interventions

OTHER

Hippotherapy 1x/week

This group will perform hippotherapy once per week for 12 weeks

OTHER

Hippotherapy 2x/week

This group will perform hippotherapy twice per week for 12 weeks

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University Medical Centre Ljubljana

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
4 Years
Max Age
12 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-09-30
Primary Completion
2025-12-31
Completion
2026-01-31

Countries

  • Slovenia

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07134582 on ClinicalTrials.gov