Effects of Hippotherapy in Children With Cerebral Palsy

NCT07739680 · tracked via the Priya Life Science Turkey tracker

Sponsor

Fenerbahce University

Phase

Not applicable

Started

2026-08

Last updated

2026-08-04

Condition(s) studied

Cerebral Palsy, Congenital

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Hippotherapy ProgramSpecial Education Program

Hippotherapy Program: Participants will receive 30-minute hippotherapy sessions once weekly for 8 weeks in addition to their ongoing special education program. The program will include exercises targeting balance, postural control, trunk stabilization, coordination, muscle strength, upper extremity function, and sensory processing.

Special Education Program: Participants will continue their ongoing special education program throughout the 8-week study period. The program includes educational activities, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, proprioceptive activities, and sensory-based interventions according to the individual needs of the child.

Study summary

Cerebral palsy is a group of permanent disorders affecting movement and posture due to non-progressive disturbances in the developing brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on physical function, including balance, trunk control, posture, and handgrip strength, as well as bladder and bowel symptoms and family quality of life in children with cerebral palsy.

Eligibility

Sex

ALL

Min age

7 Years

Max age

15 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged between 7 and 15 years * Diagnosis of cerebral palsy confirmed by a specialist physician * Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level I-III * Ability to understand and follow basic verbal commands * Ability to stand independently for at least 30 seconds * No medical contraindications to participation in hippotherapy * Voluntary participation in the study and written informed consent provided by a parent or legal representative Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of an active infection * Bladder or bowel symptoms caused by an organic condition, such as -Hirschsprung disease or anorectal malformation * Receipt of hippotherapy within the previous 12 months * Uncontrolled epilepsy or a seizure within the previous 6 months * Inability to comply with the assessment or treatment program because of severe behavioral problems * Inability to attend the treatment program regularly * Surgery affecting the spine, pelvis, or lower extremities within the previous 12 months * Severe hip dislocation, atlantoaxial instability, uncontrolled scoliosis, or another orthopedic condition constituting a contraindication to hippotherapy

Primary outcome measure(s)

Balance — Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale, a 14-item scale evaluating sitting balance, standing balance, transfers, reaching, turning, and stepping activities. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance performance. The scale will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Trunk Control — Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Trunk control will be assessed using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 58, with higher scores indicating better trunk control. The assessment will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Posture — Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Postural alignment will be assessed using the New York Posture Rating Chart. The total score ranges from 13 to 65, with higher scores indicating better postural alignment. The assessment will be performed by a physiotherapist.
Handgrip Strength — Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Handgrip strength will be measured in kilograms using a hand dynamometer. Three measurements will be obtained for each hand, with a 1-minute rest period between measurements. The mean value of the three measurements will be used in the analysis. Higher values indicate greater handgrip strength.
Bladder and Bowel Symptoms — Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Bladder and bowel symptoms will be assessed using the Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. The questionnaire will be completed by the child with parental assistance.
Familiy Quality of Life — Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Family quality of life will be assessed using the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life Questionnaire-Primary Caregiver Form (CP QOL-Child). Each domain is scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. The questionnaire will be completed by the child's parent or primary caregiver.

Trial sites (1)

Facility	City	Region	Status
Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University	Ankara	Turkey (Türkiye)

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Official registry record

This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.

View NCT07739680 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Turkey