GIST Proves Effectiveness of Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation

Mechanism data of equine-assisted rehabilitation for cerebral palsy patients. Photo by GIST.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cho Hyung-joo] GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology President Kim Ki-seon) announced on the 14th that Professor Heo Pil-won’s research team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, together with Dr. Priscilla Lightsey’s research team at Texas A&M University, proved the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of horseback riding for gait rehabilitation in cerebral palsy patients.

This study was conducted to identify the reasons why horseback riding rehabilitation improves the gait and balance abilities of cerebral palsy patients.

To this end, the research team established the basic hypotheses that “horseback riding rehabilitation improves the gait and balance abilities of cerebral palsy patients,” “horseback riding rehabilitation enhances the interaction between patients and animals (horses),” and “the interaction between patients and animals (horses) resulting from horseback riding rehabilitation correlates with gait and balance abilities.”

The cerebral palsy patients who participated in the experiment each received eight sessions of horseback riding rehabilitation therapy, and as a result, improvements in their gait and balance abilities were confirmed. As the rehabilitation therapy progressed, enhanced synchronization due to the interaction between cerebral palsy patients and animals (horses) was observed.

Professor Heo Pil-won stated, “The significance of this research achievement lies in confirming the possibility of developing cerebral palsy horseback riding rehabilitation programs and related technologies that actively utilize physical interaction and, furthermore, emotional empathy between humans and animals (horses).” He added, “We hope that by maximizing the efficiency of cerebral palsy rehabilitation in the future, this will contribute to improving the quality of life for cerebral palsy patients.”

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