• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.119-130
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine, by conducting a 10 week hippotherapy, the effects on the physical, cognitive and psychological factors of children with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: As an intervention method, intervention was based on a program from the American Hippotherapy Association and was modified and enhanced. 16 children with intellectual disabilities was conducted horse riding intervention program and Intervention was conducted once a week for a total of 10 weeks with each session lasting 30 minutes. A doctor of rehabilitation medical treatment of D rehabilitation center, physical therapist and occupational therapist evaluated the upper limbs test, balance, gait function, Korea-mini mental state examination (MMSE) before and after hippotherapy intervention. Self-esteem scale and aggression scale was evaluated by Psychology Counseling of C psychological clinic before and after hippotherapy intervention. RESULTS: The results of this study reveal that first, there was a positive effect. Second, statistically significant differences were found in BBS, TUG, K-MMSE, 10m walking test, 6 min walking test, self-esteem scale and aggression scale (p<.05). However no statistically significant differences were found in upper limbs function and good balance analysis before and after intervention. CONCLUSION: The hippotherapy is effective way to improve the physical, cognitive and psychological factors of children with intellectual disability.