Quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients participating in therapeutic horseback riding

Resumo

Introduction: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes interferences in the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals; for this reason, for this reason, programs of activities that can improve quality of life are crucial. Objective: Investigate whether therapeutic horseback riding (THR) included in the routine activities of people with MS promotes changes in perceived QoL. Methods: Fourteen individuals with MS were divided into intervention group and control group and assessed for perceived QoL by means of the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis (FAMS) instrument, before and after an interval of four months. Results: No significant changes in the QoL of MS subjects were observed, either in intragroup or intergroup assessments. Conclusion: The intervention with THR included in the routine therapeutic activities of individuals with MS was not helpful to promote changes in the perceived QoL of the individuals studied.