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Robotic Hippotherapy for Children with Cerebral Palsy

This study is looking at how two types of physical therapy affect trunk control and movement in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Researchers are comparing "robotic hippotherapy," which uses a special robot that mimics horseback riding, with "conventional physical therapy," which includes stretching, balance training, and treadmill walking. The goal is to see if repeated training that moves the pelvis helps improve trunk posture and walking. You might be able to join if you are a child between 4 and 12 years old with a specific type of CP. To measure success, researchers will track changes in a score called the Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) at the beginning, after 6 weeks of training, and 8 weeks after training ends. The study plans to enroll 44 children, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 44 participants. It compares two different physical therapy approaches.
What's involved
Participants will undergo 6 weeks of training, with measurements taken at the start, after training, and 8 weeks later.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 8 weeks after the end of their 6 weeks of training.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05805410

Neuromuscular Mechanisms of Specific Trunk Interventions in Children With CP

Recruiting
NAAges 4–12InterventionalTreatment
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
~44 participants
Updated 2025-06-03 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:robotic hippotherapyConventional physical therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) score from baseline.
Measured over baseline, post 6 weeks of training and 8 weeks after the end of training.

Conditions

Child Behavior

Explore related trials

Cerebral Palsy

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Illinois1

Study leadership

  • Ming Wu · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Who to contact

Ming Wu
[email protected]
3122380700
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Children with a diagnosis of bilateral spastic CP attributed to complications of prematurity, intracranial hemorrhage and periventricular leukmalacia according to the definition of Bax.
Children aged 4 to 12 years old without Botulinum toxin treatment within 6 months, and without surgeries (such as selective dorsal rhizotomy) within 12 months before the onset of the training.
Subjects will be able to remain seated without help for ≥10s.
GMFCS levels will be I to IV.
Children must be able to signal pain, fear or discomfort reliably.
Children with mild scoliosis (Cobb angle \< 20 °).
Children with CP who have no prior hippotherapy experiences within 6 months.

Exclusion

severe lower extremity contractures, fractures, osseous instabilities, osteoporosis.
severe disproportional bone growth.
unhealed skin lesions in the lower extremities.
thromboembolic diseases, cardiovascular instability.
aggressive or self-harming behaviors.

What this trial measures

  • Change in Trunk Control Measurement Scale (TCMS) score from baseline.baseline, post 6 weeks of training and 8 weeks after the end of training.

    The maximum value for the total TCMS is 58 points (no unit). Specifically, there is 20 points for the category 'static sitting balance', 28 points for 'selective movement control', and 10 points for 'dynamic reaching'). A higher TCMS scores indicates a better motor performance in trunk control.