Abstract

Equine-therapy is a new form of therapeutic horse riding that purports to enhance the stimulation of the vestibulator and somatosensory systems through processes of cortical sensory integration. With regard to their neuropsychological profile, Tourette syndrome children often manifest with executive functioning deficits attributable to disruptions in frontal functioning. Since equine-therapy focuses on stimulation and argumentation of frontal integrative processes, an intervention of this nature may influence the executive functioning of this group. The purpose of this study was to explore whether an equine-therapy intervention will influence neuropsychological (executive function) outcomes in a group with Tourette syndrome. The sample consisted of eight individuals with Tourette syndrome who were assessed on a neuropsychlogical test battery comprising the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test, Rey Complex Figure Test, Trail Marketing Test, Raven’s Matrices, and Symbol Digit Test. The statistical analysis indicated significant differences on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Stroop Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. These changes suggest that equine-therapy may augment self-corrective strategies, selective attention, visual-associative and visual-motor integration abilities in Tourette syndrome. The results show that the stimulation of vestibular and somatosensory systems may enhance the integrative abilities of the frontal cortex as manifested in the cognitive performance increments. Verf.-Referat