BENEFITS OF HIPPOTHERAPY IN THE ELDERLY: LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Population aging is an important demographic feature in Brazil. Senescence is the set of biological, psychological and social changes that occur in the normal aging process of an elderly, triggering loss of muscle strength and mobility, balance disorders, reduced walking ability and worse state of satisfaction with quality of life . The Equine therapy is a therapeutic method that uses the entire body on the horse, and promotes increased muscle strength; muscle relaxation; gain in body awareness, balance and motor coordination; It provides improved care, socialization, self confidence and self esteem. Objective: to investigate and describe the benefits of equine therapy to healthy elderly subjects, the changes set out in the senescence process was held this literature review. Methods: The search was performed in databases: PubMed, Lilacs, IBECS, Medline, Cochrane Library and Scielo. Results: The search resulted in 123 articles, but only five were selected for analysis. We conclude that the small number of articles in literature reflects the scarcity of studies on topic. Conclusion: This study found that riding therapy promotes improvement in muscle strength of the lower limbs and balance and enhances the march. There were not enough studies to affirm the benefits of hippotherapy as mobility and quality of life.