Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41551574›Full record

ArticleContemporary clinical trials communications2026

Effectiveness of hippotherapy on balance performance, neurophysiological parameters and clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis: Study protocol of a randomized controlled multicenter study (MS-HIPPO II - Movement in Balance).

Isabel Stolz, Leonard Braunsmann, Franca Rosiny, Dieter Poehlau, Thomas Abel, Volker Anneken, Marion Drache, Kristel Knaepen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Contemporary clinical trials communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Isabel StolzInstitute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
Leonard BraunsmannInstitute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
Franca RosinyResearch Institute for Inclusion Through Physical Activity and Sports, Paul-R.-Kraemer Allee 100, 50226, Frechen, Germany.
Dieter PoehlauDRK Kamillus Hospital, Hospitalstraße 6, 53567, Asbach, Germany.
Thomas AbelInstitute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, 50933, Cologne, Germany.
Volker AnnekenResearch Institute for Inclusion Through Physical Activity and Sports, Paul-R.-Kraemer Allee 100, 50226, Frechen, Germany.
Marion DracheCenter for Therapeutic Riding Johannisberg e.V., Johannisberg 1, 53578, Windhagen, Germany.
Kristel KnaepenInstitute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, 50933, Cologne, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Exercise and physical therapy have been shown to be effective in the non-pharmacological symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). Hippotherapy as an additive physical therapy intervention is applied in this study to promote balance and postural control, since the number of sufficiently high-quality randomized controlled trials indicating its effectiveness is limited. Objective: This study aims to provide more in-depth insights into the effectiveness of hippotherapy in MS in terms of balance and other patient-relevant outcomes, building on the results of a preliminary study (MS-HIPPO II, evidence level 1b). Methods: Based on a prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded, controlled multicenter study design, the primary endpoint of differences in balance will be investigated. Patients will be randomized to an intervention group (12 weeks of hippotherapy) or a control group (12 weeks of treatment as usual). Balance will be measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) plus a standardized balance task on a force plate (AccuGait-Optimized, Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc., Massachusetts, US) and a balance perturbation task on an oscillating sensorimotor therapy device (Bioswing Posturomed®, Haider, Pullenreuth, Germany). During balance tasks, electrocortical activity will be investigated using electroencephalography (EEG) (LiveAmp 32, Brain Products GmbH, Gilching, Germany). Secondary endpoints include fatigue (FSS), quality of life (MSQoL-54), pain (VAS), spasticity (NRS) and participation (WHODAS 2.0). Therapy progress will be documented via an ICF-based hippotherapy assessment-tool (EQUITEDO®, Frechen, Germany). Results and conclusions: The results should contribute to improve the understanding of non-pharmaceutical treatment options in the field of exercise and movement therapy in MS. Trial registration: The trial was registered at March 05, 2024 in the German Clinical Trial Register under DRKS00033449.

Indexed as

BalanceBalance PerturbationBerg Balance ScaleBrain ActivityEEGHippotherapyMultiple Scerosis

Identifiers

PMID41551574
PMCPMC12809214

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.