This study investigated the outcomes and practice of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) for children aged 9 to 12 diagnosed with Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study was carried out in order to gain new insights in the learning and growth processes facilitated by Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) and to improve practice. Two learning and growth processes were identified and investigated: establishing a therapeutic vision and infusing it into the therapeutic plan and facilitating the transfer of newly learned or improved skills and learning strategies from the riding learning environment to parallel learning environments such as the client’s school and home. The research also explored ways to amplify levels of skill acquired during THR sessions and to support the transformation process experienced by THR clients. A pilot exploratory survey was conducted among THR practitioners and participating parents. In depth interviews and observations were conducted. A multiple case study paradigm was selected for the purpose of the study. In depth interviews were conducted with children diagnosed with ADHD, parents, and teachers. In addition, relevant documents were examined. A THR manual for practitioners was developed to support and inform learning partnerships between school (teachers), THR practitioners (THRPs) and children and their family, in order to standardise THR practice. The findings of this research showed that the THR practitioners (THRPs) should facilitate the acquisition and transfer of skills and strategies learned during THR sessions to other environments, such as family and school, in order to improve the quality of life of children diagnosed having ADHD. The Knowing Therapeutic Horseback Riding (KTR) model of THR practice emerged and was shown to be effective in promoting a learning and growth partnership between school, THR practitioner, client and his family. The KTR model calls for the nurturing of this partnership in order to support the learned skills and amplify them.

Hypothesis. It is considered that during horseback riding the three-dimensional movements initiated by horse’s hind legs also cause responsive movements by the horseman; these movements stimulate symmetric muscle activeness and develop gross motor functions. Analogical movements that imitate three-dimensional actions caused by the horse performed on a therapeutic ball should have lesser influence on the symmetry of muscle activeness of children with CP since the actions are triggered by subjects themselves. It is likely that during gross motor function development the psycho-emotional condition of the human being should improve also perfecting the person’s horseback riding skills. The Aims of the Research. 1. To analyze horseback riding influence on gross motor function, muscle activeness and psycho-emotional condition of healthy children and children with CP. 2. To analyze the influence of exercises on a therapeutic ball on the symmetry of muscle activeness of healthy children and children with CP. The Goals of the Research. 1. To determine and to compare the symmetry of muscle (m. erector spinae lumbar, m. gluteus medius) activeness of healthy children and children with CP while doing exercises on a therapeutic ball using the methods of electromyography and myotonometry. 2. To evaluate the influence of horseback riding on gross motor function of beginner and advanced horsemen with CP. 3. To compare the muscle activeness symmetry of beginner and advanced horsemen (both... [to full text] / Darbo tikslai: ištirti jojimo poveikį sveikų raitelių ir raitelių, sergančių CP, bendrajai motorikai, raumenų aktyvumo simetriškumui ir psichoemocinei būsenai; ištirti pratimu ant didžiojo kamuolio poveikį sveikų vaikų ir vaikų, sergančių CP, raumenų aktyvumo simetriškumui. Tyrimo metodai: bendrosios motorikos funkcijų vertinimas; raumenų pasyviųjų mechaninių savybių tyrimas (miotonometrija); raumenų elektrinio aktyvumo tyrimas (elektromiografija); psichoemocinės būsenos ir jojimo įgūdžių stebėjimas. Tyrimo imtis. Atlikti keturi tyrimai, kuriuose dalyvavo 71 tiriamasis. Buvo tiriami sveiki, t.y. padėties ir judesio sutrikimų neturintys asmenys (n=19), ir asmenys, kuriems diagnozuotas cerebrinis paralyžius (n=52). Darbo naujumas ir mokslinė, praktinė reikšmė. Disertacinis darbas prisideda prie reikalingo, tolesnio kryptingo reabilitacijos metodų veiksmingumo vaikams, sergantiems cerebriniu paralyžiumi, tyrinėjimo Lietuvoje: atlikti tyrimai padėjo nustatyti skirtingų metodų veiksmingumą vaikams, sergantiems cerebriniu paralyžiumi. Tai pirmasis tyrimas, nagrinėjantis sveikų vaikų ir vaikų, sergančių CP, nugaros tiesiamojo ir sėdmens viduriniojo raumenų aktyvumo simetriškumą ant skirtingų paviršių. Gauti rezultatai atskleidė, kad pratimus ant didžiojo kamuolio savo praktikoje sėkmingai gali taikyti reabilitacijos specialistai, siekiant sumažinti sveikų vaikų ir vaikų, sergančių CP, sėdmens viduriniojo raumens pasyviųjų mechaninių savybių asimetrija. Įvertintas pažengusiųjų ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]