Hippotherapy: a fun new way to boost motor skills in kids?
NCT ID NCT06887647
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tests whether physical therapy that includes horseback riding (hippotherapy) can improve arm and hand skills in children aged 6-17 with neuromotor disorders like cerebral palsy or spina bifida. Twenty-four participants will receive either hippotherapy or standard play-based therapy twice a week for 8 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in motor function, goal achievement, and participation in daily life, as well as how feasible the study is for a larger trial.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Physical therapy using hippotherapy (horseback riding) and equine environment activities
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a more engaging way to improve arm function and participation in daily activities for children with neuromotor disorders.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small pilot study with only 24 participants, so results may not apply broadly. It is testing feasibility, not yet proven effectiveness.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Montana
RECRUITINGMissoula, Montana, 59812, United States
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