Acute effect of hippotherapy applied on different sitting surfaces in children with special needs.

The study measured only the effect of one 30-minute session immediately after riding, so it cannot show longer-term effects of repeated hippotherapy. The final analysis included 27 children after 3 of 30 initially included did not complete the course. The groups were small, with 10 children in Group 1, 9 in Group 2, and 8 in Group 3. Children with GMFCS levels III to V were excluded, so the results do not address children who use a handheld mobility device, powered mobility, or a wheelchair pushed by another person. Participants needed to sit unaided for at least 10 seconds and have hip abduction of at least 20 degrees, so the findings do not apply to children who cannot meet these requirements. The textured layer was used during hippotherapy, so its contribution cannot be separated from the horse's movement.

Do not read the Group 3 walking speed improvement as proof that bubble-wrap seating alone works. The layer was used during hippotherapy, so its contribution cannot be separated from the horse's movement, and the between-group comparison was not significant.