The benefits of equotherapy in the equilibrium of a patient with sequels of stroke

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the benefits of hippotherapy on the balance of a patient with stroke sequelae. Method. The research was characterized by a prospective, qualitative and quantitative, exploratory descriptive longitudinal case study. Three evaluations were used as the method: pre-assessment, based on data from the Berg Balance Scale at CEEASA, at the end of 30 consultations in 2017. After this, the subject had a period of 3 months without consultations. In March 2018, the initial evaluation was performed at the Unicruz Equine Therapy Center - CEU, and the final evaluation, after 10 equine therapy visits, once a week, lasting 30 minutes. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical package. Results. It was found that the practitioner's balance after therapy achieved a gain of 7 points on the full scale (48-55). Conclusion. Equine therapy was a complementary and continuous treatment, because without it the practitioner regresses in their skills.