Cerebral Palsy Research Proposal Assignment

Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
To investigate the experiences of children with cerebral palsy and their exposure to
hippotherapy: a narrative perspective
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Abstract
Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a life-long condition that affects the co-ordination of the motor
neurons and thereby creating problem in movements and locomotion. The disease is
develops just after birth and thus the disease is common among the children.
Hippotherapy is undertaken by the movement of the horses and thus help in
promoting rehabilitation treatment for CP children. Following is the research proposal
of the aimed towards elucidating impact of hippotherapy in improving the functional
capabilities of the children with CP by studying the direct responses of the children
and their care givers. Qualitative research approach will be used for the conduction
of the study. The main approaches for the data collection include narrative diaries
and audio recordings. The analysis of the data will be done through naturalistic
inquiry approach. The purposive sampling will be used for selecting the prospective
candidates in the study and total of 5 to 10 participants will be included in the study
between the age group of 5 to 15 years. Proper ethical guidelines will be followed
while the conduction of the study.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Table of Contents
Background...................................................................................................................3
Literature Review..........................................................................................................4
Aim of Research...........................................................................................................6
Methodology.................................................................................................................6
Qualitative design......................................................................................................6
Sampling...................................................................................................................7
Other considerations.................................................................................................8
Data Collection.............................................................................................................9
Data Analysis..........................................................................................................10
Ethical Consideration..................................................................................................11
Significance of Work...................................................................................................12
References.................................................................................................................13

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Background
According to the Cerebral Palsy Organisation in the UK (2019), nearly one out
of four hundred babies in the UK have cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a
prolong condition that affects the movements and co-ordination of the motor neurons
of the body due to certain complications in the brain that develop before or
immediately after birth. Common symptoms of CP include delay in achieving the
developmental milestones, weakness in joints or stiff muscles (spasticity),
uncontrolled movements (dyskinesia), poor body balance and co-ordination (ataxia)
and learning disabilities (National Health Service 2019). At present hippotherapy
(Equine Assisted Therapy) is regarded as an effective way of increasing the
emotional and physical health of the children who are suffering from CP. The therapy
is said to improve the physical strength, endurance and body balance of the children
(Champagne, Corriveau and Dugas 2017).
Hippotherapy makes use of the horse’s movement for promoting rehabilitation
treatment. Under Hippotherapy, distinctive movements of the horse are utilized by
the professional therapists in order to promote graded motor and sensory input to the
user (Koca and Ataseven 2015). The concept of the Hippotherapy was conceived
the during the yearly 1960s in Europe following the data highlighted in the reports of
1952 Grand Prix dressage by Lis Hartel that assisted her in recover her polio
(Casady and Nichols 2004). Under this therapy, the horse serves as an excellent
base of support over which the rider is required to control and co-ordinate their
movements. The following is a research proposal that will elucidate the experiences
of children with cerebral palsy and their exposure to hippotherapy.