Hippotherapy improves balance and mobility
- Trial ID
- NCT06500182
- Official Title
- The Benefits of Hippotherapy for Patients With Parkinson's Disease of 75 Years of Age or More at Risk of Losing Their Independance.
- Goal
- Hippotherapy improves balance and mobility
- Phase
- NA
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sponsor
- Central Hospital Saint Quentin
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Enrollment
- 36 participants
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease
- Interventions
- hippotherapy sessions
Summary For Families
A program of therapeutic horse riding uses the horse’s gentle, rhythmic movement to stimulate balance, posture and gait, with the goal of helping people 75 and older with Parkinson’s keep or slow the loss of independence. The sessions are given in addition to usual Parkinson’s medications, so hippotherapy is intended to complement levodopa or other drugs by improving motor control and mobility rather than replacing medication. The study is looking for people aged 75 or over with Parkinson’s who can give informed consent, have preserved autonomy and no major cognitive or behavioral problems, are not under guardianship, and have no contraindication to MRI or to participating in horse riding.
Locations
- Centre Hospitalier de Saint-Quentin;, Saint-Quentin, Aisne, France
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is this trial testing?
- This trial is studying hippotherapy sessions. A program of therapeutic horse riding uses the horse’s gentle, rhythmic movement to stimulate balance, posture and gait, with the goal of helping people 75 and older with Parkinson’s keep or slow the loss of independence. The sessions are given in addition to usual Parkinson’s medications, so hippotherapy is intended to complement levodopa or other drugs by improving motor control and mobility rather than replacing medication. The study is looking for people aged 75 or over with Parkinson’s who can give informed consent, have preserved autonomy and no major cognitive or behavioral problems, are not under guardianship, and have no contraindication to MRI or to participating in horse riding.
- Who can participate?
- Participants must be at least 75 Years.
- Where is this trial located?
- This trial is recruiting at 1 location.
- Does it cost anything to join?
- No. There is no cost to participate. Study-related care and treatment are provided at no charge.
- How long does the trial last?
- This trial is estimated to last approximately 1 year.
- Will I get the real drug or a placebo?
- It depends on the trial design. Some Parkinson's trials are placebo controlled, meaning a portion of participants get an inactive comparison while others get the experimental treatment. Some use crossover designs so everyone eventually receives the active treatment at some point. Observational trials do not use a placebo at all because they are not testing a new treatment. The consent form for any specific trial spells out the design and your odds of being assigned to placebo before you enroll.
- How often will I need to visit the study site?
- Visit frequency varies by trial. Many Parkinson's studies require an in person visit every 4 to 12 weeks during the active treatment phase, with shorter or longer gaps depending on the design. The site coordinator can give you the full visit schedule before you sign anything, so you know what the time commitment looks like.
- Can I leave the trial if I change my mind?
- Yes. You can withdraw from any clinical trial at any time, for any reason, without affecting your standard medical care. Trials are voluntary by law. The team may ask if you are willing to do a brief exit visit so they can collect safety information, but you are not obligated.
- Will travel or parking be reimbursed?
- Many trials reimburse for parking, mileage, and sometimes lodging if the site is far from your home. Reimbursement policies vary by sponsor and site. When you contact the trial team, ask specifically what is covered and how reimbursement is processed.
- Can my spouse or care partner come with me to visits?
- In most cases yes, and it is often encouraged. Care partners can help with notes, questions, and getting home safely after a long visit. Some study assessments do need to happen one on one, but care partners are usually welcome for the rest of the appointment.