The Effect of Hippotherapy on Balance and Coordination in Mentally Disabled Children

Abstract

Objective: The development of psychomotor skills in individuals with mental disabilities progresses more slowly than their healthy peers. Therefore, it is very important for individuals with mental disabilities to do activities for the development of psychomotor skills. This study aims to examine the effects of hippotherapy training on balance and coordination skills in children with moderate and severe mental disabilities. Materials and Methods: 40 students with moderate and severe mental disabilities, between the ages of 14-20, who continue their education in Erzurum Special Education Practice School, 3rd Grade, participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups of 20 people as the hippotherapy group (HG) and the control group (CG). Before starting the study, the height and age of all students were recorded, and their body weights were measured with digital scales. Flamingo balance test to measure balance skills, balance board test, touch test to measure coordination skills, T agility test, and Illinois agility test and sit-and-reach test for flexibility skills were applied as a pre-test to the individuals. After the pre-tests were completed, 20 subjects in the hippotherapy group participated in the 20-minute hippotherapy training twice a week for 8 weeks at Atatürk University Hippotherapy and Olympic Equestrian Facilities. The control group did not participate in any application. The final tests of the subjects were carried out in the week after the hippotherapy training was completed. Results: After eight weeks of hippotherapy, there was no significant change in the body composition of the subjects in moderate and severe levels in the hippotherapy group, yet positive significant changes were determined in balance, coordination, and flexibility skills. No significant changes occurred in the subjects in the control group. Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was determined that hippotherapy positively affected balance, coordination, and flexibility skills in individuals with moderate and severe mental disabilities. Keywords: Mental disability, hippotherapy, balance, coordination, flexibility