Hippotherapy, a horse-based intervention, can help women recover from breast cancer.
Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are only part of beating breast cancer. Survivors need to recover from both the disease and treatment to improve their health.
In a French randomised controlled trial, one of the most scientifically rigorous forms of assessment, women who participated in hippotherapy showed greater physical, mental and emotional improvement compared with the control group receiving ordinary care. Improvements began early for the hippotherapy group, were sustained till the end of the trial.
As detailed in Health Times, horse-based therapies are used successfully with a range of health conditions and disabilities including:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Cerebral vascular accident
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Functional spinal curvature (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis)
- Autism
- Arthritis
- Stroke
- Behavioural disorders
- Psychiatric disorders
For each condition the program may differ, but the combination of outdoor fitness activity, interaction with the horse, rider training and supportive care all play a part.
“The success of this therapy in breast cancer and stroke recovery is great news,” said Sport Health Tech CEO, Bastien Wallace.
“If you know of somewhere offering these programs, spread the word so they can help more people,” said Bastien.
To find a program near you, try searching for ‘equine therapy’ if ‘hippotherapy’ doesn’t work, or contact your local, regional or national equestrian sport organisation.
