Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 May 26;14(11):3731.
doi: 10.3390/jcm14113731.

Effects of Equine-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Alexandra N Stergiou  1 , Avraam Ploumis  2 , Spyridon Kamtsios  3 , Georgios Markozannes  4 , Pineio Christodoulou  5 , Dimitrios N Varvarousis  6
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Equine-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Alexandra N Stergiou et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Objectives: Different types of exercises that aim in the development of balance, motor function, and gait are necessary for patients with motor disorders. Equine-assisted therapy could play an important role in the rehabilitation of these participants. Methods: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that equine-assisted therapy can exert on balance, motor function, spasticity, posture and gait, as well as quality of life on individuals with motor disorders. Clinical trials, published up to 20 April 2022, comparing equine-assisted therapy with conventional rehabilitation were systematically searched. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and assessed the quality of studies using the Downs and Black quality assessment tool. Results: Out of 27 studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria for systematic review, 15 included appropriate data for further comparative meta-analysis. Statistically significant differences were found in Dimension E (walking, running, jumping) of Gross Motor Function Measure in children with CP (0.009) and in Time Up and Go in Elderly and post-stroke participants (p = 0.006). Specifically, children with CP improved in walking, running, and jumping, as well as improved mobility in the elderly. The systematic review showed that the intervention had positive results, as well as in other domains, even though these were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Equine-assisted therapy is beneficial for individuals with impairments in balance, gross motor function, gait, spasticity, and coordination.

Keywords: cerebral palsy; elderly; equine-assisted therapy; multiple sclerosis; physical disabilities; stroke.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. No funds were received.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Prisma 2009 Flow Diagram [24].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Downs and Black diagram for selected studies.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Subgroup synthesis forest plot. Meta-analysis Time up and Go (TUG).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Subgroup synthesis forest plot. Meta-analysis Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) Dimension E.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Meregillano G. Hippotherapy. Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am. 2004;15:843–854, vii. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2004.02.002. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Stergiou A., Tzoufi M., Ntzani E., Varvarousis D., Beris A., Ploumis A. Therapeutic Effects of Horseback Riding Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am. J. Phys. Med. Rehabil. 2017;96:717–725. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000726. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Mattila-Rautiainen S., Brennan R., Emond N., Horne V., Volpe G., Arrieta K., Stergiou A. A prospective International Study of Terminology in human-equine interactions—Preliminary results. HETI J. Int. Res. Pract. 2023;22:28–42. doi: 10.58862/NJBV1737. - DOI
    1. Krivickas L.S. Exercise in neuromuscular disease. J. Clin. Neuromuscul. Dis. 2003;5:29–39. doi: 10.1097/00131402-200309000-00004. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Encheff J.L., Armstrong C., Masterson M., Fox C., Gribble P. Hippotherapy effects on trunk, pelvic, and hip motion during ambulation in children with neurological impairments. Pediatr. Phys. Ther. 2012;24:242–250. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0b013e31825c1dc3. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources