CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME AND EQUINEASSISTED THERAPY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) is a therapeutic and educational method that uses the horse within an interdisciplinary approach. The objective of this study was to analyze the publications on Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) as a tool in the global development of children with Down Syndrome (DS). Methods: The criteria were: randomized clinical trials; population diagnosed with DS and age ≥13 years old; published from 2015 to 2021; indexed by Qualis between A1 and B3, in the following electronic databases: National Library of Medicine (PUBMED), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciElO) and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS).Results: 18 articles were found, of which 8 met the objective and criteria proposed in the study. Conclusion: It can be seen that EAT proves tobe an effective and important tool; therefore, it contributes to the progress in the global development and improvement of the motor functions of children with DS.