Abstract

Background. The parents’ satisfaction with life and their acceptance of their child’s illness are important factors that directly and / or indirectly influence the process of rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hippotherapy on the level of satisfaction with life and acceptance of illness among parents of children with cerebral palsy. Material and methods. The study was conducted in 2008-2010 among 94 parents of cerebrally palsied (CP) children partici­pating in hippotherapy sessions in Warsaw. The study used an original questionnaire with questions dealing with the effect of hippotherapy on selected psychological factors in the parents. The questionnaire was completed by the parents twice: before and after a one-year hippotherapy course. Two psychometric scales: the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), were also used, both adapted for Polish by Juczyński. The results were analyzed statistically.Results. Overall satisfaction with life among the parents increased significantly (p<0.05) during the year-long hippotherapy course. There was also a statistically significant increase in the parents’ acceptance of their children’s condition. Conclusion. Hippotherapy in CP children significantly increases their parents’ satisfaction with life and acceptance of their children’s illness.

Key words:

hippotherapy, Satisfaction with Life, acceptance of illness, Cerebral Palsy, Parents