Hippotherapy as a method for complex rehabilitation of patients with late residual stage of infantile cerebral palsy
: Influence and therapeutic efficacy of horseback riding (hippotherapy) as a method for complex rehabilitation of patients with late residual stage of infantile cerebral palsy were studied. Significant increase of a range of active and passive mosements in large joints of lower extremities, higher, indices of hand dynamometry on the left, of vital lung capacity as well as a relief of relief of reactive and personality anxiety and depression, higher motivation for rehabilitation treatment, etc., were registered. Neurophysiological study revealed significant changes of afferentation at stem and thalamus cortical levels and of spectral components of cortical rhythmics. The data obtained allow to consider hippotherapy as an effective method of complex rehabilitation of patients with late residual stage of infantile cerebral palsy. A combination of sensory stimulation and motor rehabilitation components may be a key mechanism of positive effect.