Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Category
STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)
Abstract/Artist Statement
Stroke is a leading cause of global disability, with approximately 94 million people living with the effects of stroke worldwide, impacting over 2.5 million individuals annually (Feigin et al., 2025). Stroke-related motor and communication deficits often co-occur, increasing challenges for recovery and increasing social isolation, depression, and dependency (Mitchell et al., 2021). Hippotherapy, the therapeutic use of equine movement, has emerged as a novel treatment approach for neurorehabilitation; however, its integration within interprofessional stroke rehabilitation targeting motor and communication impairments is limited (Koca, 2016; Viruega et al., 2022). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability of an interprofessional intervention incorporating equine movement as a treatment tool for adults with post-stroke aphasia.
This single-group prospective feasibility pilot included three adults with chronic aphasia who participated in interprofessional speech-language and physical therapy using hippotherapy (2x/week for 4 weeks; 8 sessions). Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, attendance, outcome completion, and provider participation. Fidelity was evaluated via structured video-based coding. Acceptability was measured using session-level participant satisfaction measures.
All feasibility benchmarks were met including 100% retention and outcome completion, 87.5% session attendance, and 93.11% overall treatment fidelity. Acceptability was high, with near-ceiling satisfaction and engagement ratings across participants. All outcome measures were administered successfully with no missing data. The protocol was implemented safely and consistently within the equine environment.
This study is among the first to examine an interprofessional speech-language pathology and physical therapy model targeting both communication and motor recovery integrating hippotherapy as a treatment tool for post-stroke aphasia recovery. Findings demonstrate this model is feasible, acceptable, and deliverable with high fidelity. Importantly, this study generated critical methodological and implementation guidance informing the design of a fully funded two-year randomized controlled trial with participant recruitment underway and intervention initiation planned for summer 2026.
Mentor Name
Catherine Off
Integrating Hippotherapy into Interprofessional Stroke Rehabilitation for Aphasia: A Feasibility Pilot Study
UC North Ballroom
Stroke is a leading cause of global disability, with approximately 94 million people living with the effects of stroke worldwide, impacting over 2.5 million individuals annually (Feigin et al., 2025). Stroke-related motor and communication deficits often co-occur, increasing challenges for recovery and increasing social isolation, depression, and dependency (Mitchell et al., 2021). Hippotherapy, the therapeutic use of equine movement, has emerged as a novel treatment approach for neurorehabilitation; however, its integration within interprofessional stroke rehabilitation targeting motor and communication impairments is limited (Koca, 2016; Viruega et al., 2022). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, fidelity, and acceptability of an interprofessional intervention incorporating equine movement as a treatment tool for adults with post-stroke aphasia.
This single-group prospective feasibility pilot included three adults with chronic aphasia who participated in interprofessional speech-language and physical therapy using hippotherapy (2x/week for 4 weeks; 8 sessions). Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, attendance, outcome completion, and provider participation. Fidelity was evaluated via structured video-based coding. Acceptability was measured using session-level participant satisfaction measures.
All feasibility benchmarks were met including 100% retention and outcome completion, 87.5% session attendance, and 93.11% overall treatment fidelity. Acceptability was high, with near-ceiling satisfaction and engagement ratings across participants. All outcome measures were administered successfully with no missing data. The protocol was implemented safely and consistently within the equine environment.
This study is among the first to examine an interprofessional speech-language pathology and physical therapy model targeting both communication and motor recovery integrating hippotherapy as a treatment tool for post-stroke aphasia recovery. Findings demonstrate this model is feasible, acceptable, and deliverable with high fidelity. Importantly, this study generated critical methodological and implementation guidance informing the design of a fully funded two-year randomized controlled trial with participant recruitment underway and intervention initiation planned for summer 2026.