| Abstract [eng] |
The purpose of this research: To evaluate the change in motor function by applying hypotherapy to children with cerebral palsy in the form of spastic diplegia and spastic hemiplegia. For this research, raised tasks should reach the target: 1. To evaluate and compare the Gross Motor functions before and after hippotherapy sessions. 2. To evaluate and compare muscle tone according to the modified Ashword scale before and after hippotherapy sessions. 3. Assess Gross Motor Classification System of the subject. 4. To analyze the effect of hypotherapy on the integration of pathological reflexes. Methods of this research: Research was performed in the stud farm from July 2019 to March 2020. Two subjects participated in the study. A 5-year-old boy with a form of spastic diplegia of cerebral palsy and an 8-year-old girl with a form of spastic hemiplegia of cerebral palsy. The study assessed Gross Motor function (GMFM-88), muscle tone (modified Ashworth scale), Gross Motor functional levels (GMFCS), and pathological reflexes. The study was initiated with parental consent. Hypotherapy interventions were performed during the study. 16 hippotherapy sessions were performed, once a week, for 30 min. Data analysis and statistical reliability of the study part were calculated in Microsoft Office Excel 2013 program. Statistical reliability (t-Test criterion) data analysis was performed. Conclusions of this research: 1. It was found that hypotherapy significantly improved (p <0.05) the Gross Motor functionsof the first subject. The largest change was in the GMFM-88 B group. The sum of scores improved by 10%, the change was statistically significant (p <0.05). For the second subject, the Gross Motor functions changed, but this was not statistically significant (p> 0.05). The largest change was in the GMFM-88 E group. The sum of scores improved by 16%, the change was statistically significant (p <0.05). 2. Hypotherapy improved muscle tone and reduce spasticity in the first subject. The muscle tone of the second subject remained unchanged. 3. Hypotherapy did not affect the level of Gross Motor functional classification in any of the subjects throughout the study. 4. It is determined, that hypotherapy improved two pathological reflexes integration into motion for both subjects. However, the reduction in reflex integration was statistically insignificant (p> 0.05). |
