Envelhecimento ativo: a relação da equoterapia na saúde do idoso.

Abstract

Introduction. The aging process is a major challenge in today's world, affecting both rich and poor countries as aging prompts a decline in physical performance and functional independence. Analyzing the natural process of aging and its propensity for the occurrence of incapacitating events, the interest arose in investigating the effects of Equotherapy on the functional capacity and quality of life of the elderly. Objective. Verify that Equotherapy is able to produce changes in the functional capacity of the elderly people. Method. The sample consisted of 10 old people, all female, with an average age of 70 years. For the functional capacity, a battery of evaluations was performed, consisting of four tests, namely: Quality of Life Questionnaire (SF-36), Maximum inspiratory pressure (PImax) and Maximum expiratory pressure (PEmax), Palmar Hold and Berg Balance Scale (EEB). The functional capacity assessments were performed 7 days before (PRE) the beginning of the education / reeducation program in Equotherapy and the POST were performed 7 days later. At the end of the 16th session of Equotherapy, the elderly were instructed to keep their AVDs unchanged and to stay without physical activity during the study period. Data analysis was performed using the statistical package of SPSS - version 25.0. Data were presented as mean and standard deviation. Initially, the Shapiro-Wilk test was applied to confirm the normality hypothesis. The variables that violated normality were mathematically adjusted (BoxCox). The PRE and POST measures were compared by the t paired test. The Significance level adopted was P <0.05. Results. The results reveal that the group significantly improved the functional capacity in the PRE / POST comparison measured in (SF-36 pain item p = 0.037 and social aspects p = 0.008), (PImaxp = 0.007 and PEmaxp = 0.168), Palmar Hold p = 0.000 for right and left hand and (EEB, p = 0.017). Conclusion. Considering these physiological characteristics and the data found, it is possible to affirm that the regular program of education / reeducation of horse therapy contributed to the maintenance of the functional capacity of the elderly.