Horse-assisted therapy for mobility and balance in people with Parkinson's disease
Tests horse-assisted therapy against usual care in adults with Parkinson's disease.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Does Hippotherapy Have an Effect on Mobility, Gait, Balance and Perceived Health-related Quality of Life in Persons With Parkinson's Disease?
Key facts
- Where
- Valens, SwitzerlandSee the site
Where in Switzerland
- Rehabilitation Centre ValensValens, SwitzerlandTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Klinik Valens
- Trial code
- NCT07802509
- Record updated
- 17 September 2026
- Original description
The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy (horse assisted therapy) (intervention group) compared to usual care (control group) on mobility, gait, balance and perceived health-related quality of life in persons with Parkinson's disease. The main objectives of this study are:Read full original descriptionShow less
Does Hippotherapy Have an Effect on Mobility, Gait, Balance and Perceived Health-related Quality of Life in Persons With Parkinson's Disease?
The goal of this pilot randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy (horse assisted therapy) (intervention group) compared to usual care (control group) on mobility, gait, balance and perceived health-related quality of life in persons with Parkinson's disease. The main objectives of this study are:
* The primary objective is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on mobility of pwPD, walking speed and the ability to perform daily movements. * The secondary objective is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on (a) balance, (b) self-perceived physical and mental health and (c) specific gait parameters. * Furthermore this study, aims to gather critical information that will inform about the design and implementation of a larger, more definitive randomized controlled trial.
In addition to the three-week, multidisciplinary rehabilitation program the intervention group will receive hippotherapy (20 minutes) three times a week (7 sessions in total) and the control group will receive additional physiotherapy sessions (30 minutes) two times a week.
Inclusion: Confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson's diagnosis; Age > 18 Years; Hoehn \& Yahr stage ≤ 4; Category 3 in the Functional Ambulation Categories; Climbing stairs is possible (with support).
Exclusion: Severe cognitive impairment, defined by a score below 26 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCa); Horse hair allergy; Other acute and subacute cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that constitute a contraindication to hippotherapy (i.e. a recent fracture); Body weight > 90kg; Pregnancy.