Therapeutic Riding and Neuromuscular Disease

The Evaluation of Therapeutic Riding in Children and Adolescent With Kinetic Deficits Because of Neuromuscular Disease.

The purpose of this current prospective study is to assess the effects of a Therapeutic Riding exercise program conducted in patients suffering from neuromuscular disease. The exercise intervention aims at improving gross motor function, gross motor performance, balance, spasticity, posture and quality of life. Patients were randomized according to age, sex, mental ability and gross motor function. Furthermore, patients will be subdivided into categories of central nervous system (brain/ spinal cord) and peripheral (peripheral nerve or muscle) diseases. The exercise program duration will be 12 weeks, once a week with 30-40 minutes sessions. Six measurements will be conducted: the Gross Motor Function Measure, the Gross Motor Performance Measure, the Quality of life Questionnaire for Children, the Pediatric Balance Scale, the dynamic plate in combination with x-ray for posture control, the Modified Ashworth Scale for spasticity and the Wisc 3 for mental ability. The results will be collected and evaluated using the statistical programme SPSS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children with neuromuscular disease
• Parental consent
• Sitting posture capability
• Hip abduction capability on horseback
• Ability to communicate and collaborate with the researcher

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with Scheuermann disease
• uncontrolled seizures (A) child with generalized seizure over 2 minutes in the last three months (B) Children who are not well-adjusted levels of antiepileptic drugs.
• musculoskeletal disorder that may be aggravated by the movement of the horse such as atlantoaxial instability, osteoporosis etc.
• Scoliosis > 30 degree
• Allergy to dust