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Kinematic Gait Analysis of Children with Neurological Impairments Pre and Post Hippotherapy Intervention 

Encheff, Jenna L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1234725808

Abstract Details

2008, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, Exercise Science.
Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a ten-week hippotherapy (HPOT) program on several temporal-spatial variables of gait as well as range of motion (ROM) at the trunk, pelvis, and hip joints in all three planes of motion over the stance phase of the gait cycle. Hippotherapy has been used as a tool by therapists for several decades to address functional limitations in patients with neuromusculoskeletal diagnoses, however, more objective measurements and data supporting HPOT as a therapeutic tool to help improve ambulation are needed. Subjects. Eleven children (6 males, 5 females; 7.9 ± 2.7 years) with neurological disorders resulting in impairments in ambulation and gross motor control in standing participated in this study. Methods. All subjects were receiving weekly traditional land-based physical or occupational therapy and elected to participate in HPOT for ten weekly sessions instead. Three-dimensional (3-D) gait analyses were performed with each child prior to the first session of HPOT. Data on cadence, velocity, stride length and step width were collected along with data regarding trunk, pelvis, and hip joint ROM. Subjects then participated in ten weekly sessions of HPOT and a second gait analysis was completed for each subject after completion of the sessions. A series of paired t-tests was performed on the temporal-spatial and kinematic data for each segment. Families of pairwise comparisons were used with the family-wise error rate set at 0.25. Results. Although no statistically significant differences were found from pre to post test for temporal-spatial data, trends in improved cadence, velocity, and stride length were seen. Significant improvements in sagittal plane pelvic and hip joint positions at initial contact (IC) and toe off (TO) phases of the gait cycle were found, and each demonstrated large effect sizes as determined via Cohen’s d. No differences in trunk ROM were determined, although trends towards more normal values were observed in all three planes at IC and TO. Discussion and Conclusion. The group’s improvement in sagittal plane pelvic and hip joint positioning and trends for improvement in trunk position, cadence, velocity, and stride length during ambulation may indicate increased postural control during the stance phase of gait after ten sessions of HPOT.
Charles Armstrong, PhD (Committee Chair)
Michelle Masterson, PT, PhD (Committee Member)
Phillip Gribble, PhD (Committee Member)
Christine Fox, PhD (Committee Member)
174 p.
Health Care; Rehabilitation
hippotherapy; gait; pediatric therapy; gait kinematics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Encheff, J. L. (2008). Kinematic Gait Analysis of Children with Neurological Impairments Pre and Post Hippotherapy Intervention  [Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1234725808

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Encheff, Jenna. Kinematic Gait Analysis of Children with Neurological Impairments Pre and Post Hippotherapy Intervention . 2008. University of Toledo, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1234725808.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Encheff, Jenna. "Kinematic Gait Analysis of Children with Neurological Impairments Pre and Post Hippotherapy Intervention ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1234725808

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.