Therapeutic horseback riding in ADHD treatment
SMC’s team headed by Professor Joung Yoo-sook scientifically proves the effect of therapeutic horseback riding in ADHD treatment - Professor Joung expects horseback riding “to reduce the resistance to treatment and raise its effect” Horseback riding was found to be highly effective in easing ADHD through the development of a relationship between horse and rider. It is expected to open up a new chapter in ADHD treatment. According to experts, six out of every 100 children and teenagers are presumed to be suffering from ADHD, but the treatment rate stands at the mere 11%. SMC’s team headed by Professor Joung Yoo-sook (Neuropsychiatry) announced on the 16th the result of its one-year study conducted on 20 children from six to 13 years old. It is the first study to provide scientific proof that therapeutic horseback riding contributes to ADHD treatment in statistical terms. The 20 children who took part in the study received therapeutic horseback riding treatment twice a week for 12 weeks. According to Professor Joung’s team, children who received therapeutic horseback riding treatment showed improvement in their attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulse control disorder - the major symptoms of ADHD. ARS (the ADHD rating scale) indicated that 18 out of the 20 (equivalent to 90%) showed relief in their symptoms by over 30% after treatment.