Reduction of anxiety in children with cerebral palsy through hippotherapy

The purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness of using hippotherapy methods to reduce anxiety levels in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Research methods and organization. The study employed traditional methods: analysis of literary sources and extracts from medical records, psychodiagnostic testing, and a pedagogical experiment. Over a period of three months, twice a week for 60 minutes each session, hippotherapy classes were conducted at an equestrian club for children aged 10-11 with cerebral palsy. Their anxiety levels were assessed using the Spielberger–Khanin self-assessment scale of anxiety (reactive and personal anxiety scale) and the "CMAS" method adapted by A.M. Prikhojan. Research results and conclusions. During the two-stage examination, a positive impact of the conducted sessions was revealed not only on the motor development of the participants but also on the emotional-volitional sphere of children in this nosological group – a qualitative reduction in anxiety was observed against the background of therapeutic horseback riding sessions.