DOES HIPPOTHERAPY HAVE AN EFFECT ON MOBILITY, GAIT, BALANCE AND PERCEIVED HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PERSONS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE?

DOES HIPPOTHERAPY HAVE AN EFFECT ON MOBILITY, GAIT, BALANCE AND PERCEIVED HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN PERSONS WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE?

The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy (horse assisted therapy) (intervention group) compared to usual care (control group) on mobility, gait, balance and perceived health-related quality of life in persons with Parkinson's disease. The main objectives of this study are:

• The primary objective is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on mobility of pwPD, walking speed and the ability to perform daily movements.
• The secondary objective is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on (a) balance, (b) self-perceived physical and mental health and (c) specific gait parameters.
• Furthermore this study, aims to gather critical information that will inform about the design and implementation of a larger, more definitive randomized controlled trial.

In addition to the three-week, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program the intervention group will receive hippotherapy (20 minutes) three times a week (7 sessions in total) and the control group will receive additional physiotherapy sessions (30 minutes) two times a week.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's diagnosis
• Age > 18 Years;
• Hoehn & Yahr stage ≤ 4;
• Category 3 in the Functional Ambulation Categories
• Climbing stairs is possible (with support).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe cognitive impairment, defined by a score below 26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa)
• Body weight > 90kg;
• Horse hair allergy;
• Other acute and subacute cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that constitute a contraindication to hippotherapy (i.e. a recent fracture);
• Pregnancy.