The Effects of Hippotherapy on the Electromyograph of a Subject with Multiple Sclerosis
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Michael Sardinia msardinia@whitworth.edu
Session Type
Poster Presentation
Research Project Abstract
Abstract: This study tested the efficacy of Hippotherapy on increasing bilateral depolarization synchronization in the rectus femoris muscles of a subject with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that targets the central nervous system. Subjects underwent a 16-minute Hippotherapy session weekly for four weeks. Hippotherapy is characterized as one-patient-one horse physiotherapy treatment. Horses present a unique gait, which results in a multidimensional movement that is rhythmic and repetitive. An electromyograph of the rectus femoris was taken pre and post therapy sessions every week. The subject with MS showed an increase in synchronization in three out of the four trials. Interestingly, the control subject also demonstrated an increase in synchronization. The control subject did start with a higher degree of synchronization than the subject with MS.
Session Number
PS1
Location
HUB Multipurpose Room
Abstract Number
PS1-m
The Effects of Hippotherapy on the Electromyograph of a Subject with Multiple Sclerosis
HUB Multipurpose Room
Abstract: This study tested the efficacy of Hippotherapy on increasing bilateral depolarization synchronization in the rectus femoris muscles of a subject with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that targets the central nervous system. Subjects underwent a 16-minute Hippotherapy session weekly for four weeks. Hippotherapy is characterized as one-patient-one horse physiotherapy treatment. Horses present a unique gait, which results in a multidimensional movement that is rhythmic and repetitive. An electromyograph of the rectus femoris was taken pre and post therapy sessions every week. The subject with MS showed an increase in synchronization in three out of the four trials. Interestingly, the control subject also demonstrated an increase in synchronization. The control subject did start with a higher degree of synchronization than the subject with MS.