Qol-09. Equi and Hippo: A Study Assessing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Horse Therapy for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults in Remission From a Medulloblastoma

Abstract INTRODUCTION Psycho-social and motor disorders are common long-term sequalae in patients treated for a medulloblastoma during childhood. They often require long-term, multidisciplinary rehabilitation and post-therapeutic care that can be difficult to maintain over time. To address this common problem, we hypothesized that a horse therapy can re-engage children in their rehabilitation. The expected benefits of the horse therapy involve both psycho-social skills thought animal mediation (equitherapy) and motor skills using the horse’s three-dimensional movement (hippotherapy). MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a single-center prospective interventional trial including patients treated for medulloblastoma during childhood, aged 10 to 26, in complete remission. The intervention consisted on weekly 2-hours sessions of equitherapy and hippotherapy with a specialized physiotherapist and psychologist over a 4-month period (16 sessions per patient) in groups of 2 participants. The primary objective was to determine the feasibility of a rehabilitation program combining equitherapy and hippotherapy. The secondary objective was to assess changes in motor skills, balance, emotional feelings, self-esteem and quality of life at the end of the sessions, at 4 months and at 6 months using questionnaires and standardized and validated measurements. RESULTS The study began in April 2023 and is still ongoing. Six participants were included and four ended the intervention period. On this preliminary cohort, the recruitment rate was excellent with 100% of patients offered the program agree to take part. Three participants completed the program with a 100% adherence rate. All participants were very satisfied with their participation in the program. Analysis of second objective will be presented in the form of case reports. CONCLUSION The expected outcome of this study is to define a framework for the application of this practice, enabling a model of this rehabilitative management, and then to lead to dissemination and recognition of this activity, enabling larger-scale studies.