• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.268-284
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of horseback riding simulation training(HRST) on gross motor function of children with cerebral palsy. Twenty-four children with cerebral palsy participated were divided into two groups randomly. Control group and experimental group both received 30 minutes of regular neuro-rehab exercises for three times a week per twelve weeks, but experimental group received additional 15 minutes of the HRST. Gross Motor Function Measure(GMFM) was used to evaluate the changes before and after HRST. Normalized GMFM scores were compared using Mann-Whitney U test, statistical significance was set at a=.05. The results were as followings: First, in each compared before and after the experiment, the control group showed significantly increased GMFM score in dimensions A and B. The experimental group showed significant increasing in all dimensions of GMFM test. Second, the experimental group showed significant differences comparing to control group in dimensions C, D and E of GMFM test. Consequently, HRST should be considered as a therapeutic method for physical therapy for the children with cerebral palsy to improve the functional movements.