Application of a tri-axial accelerometry-based portable motion recorder for the quantitative assessment of hippotherapy in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

[Purpose] This case series aims to evaluate the effects of hippotherapyon gaitand balance abilityof children and adolescents with cerebral palsyusing quantitative parameters for physical activity. [Subjects and Methods] Three patients with gaitdisability as a sequela of cerebral palsy(one female and two males; age 5, 12, and 25 years old) were recruited. Participants received hippotherapyfor 30 min once a week for 2 years. Gaitparameters (step rate, step length, gaitspeed, mean acceleration, and horizontal/ vertical displacementratio) were measured using a portable motion recorder equipped with a tri-axial accelerometer attached to the waist before and after a 10-m walking test. [Results] There was a significant increase in step length between before and after a single hippotherapysession. Over the course of 2 year intervention, there was a significant increase in step rate, gaitspeed, step length, and mean acceleration and a significant improvement in horizontal/ vertical displacementratio. [Conclusion] The data suggest that quantitative parameters derived from a portable motion recorder can track both immediate and long-term changes in the walking ability of children and adolescents with cerebral palsyundergoing hippotherapy.