Translation, reliability, and validity of the Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Early Activity Scale for Endurance (EASE).

PURPOSE: Translate, investigate reliability, and construct validity of the Brazilian Early Activity Scale for Endurance (EASE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Translation followed the international guidelines. Test-retest reliability was tested by 100 parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP): 18 months-5 years and 6-11 years. To determine construct validity, 94 parents of typically children completed the EASE. Statistical analysis included Bland-Altman, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Internal Consistency, and Floor and Ceiling Effect. RESULTS: The majority of the sample consisted of children with CP in GMFCS (IV-V). EASE showed good test-retest reliability for younger (ICC = 0.8) and excellent test-retest reliability for older children with CP (ICC = 0.9), and good internal consistency of 0.7 and 0.8 for the young and older group, respectively. Bland-Altman showed the bias close to zero, with no ceiling or floor effect. Regarding construct validity, younger children showed lower scores when compared to the older children. Endurance differed significantly between children with CP who were walking and those who were not walking and also for age groups. Children with CP showed lower endurance compared to typically participants in the same age group. CONCLUSIONS: Brazilian EASE is reliable and valid to estimate endurance in children with CP. Results provide evidence of construct validity.

Endurance to physical activity is an important construct to be evaluated and that directly interferes with the health and quality of life of children with Cerebral Palsy (CP).The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the 4-item Early Activity Scale for Endurance (EASE) is a valid and reliable scale to assess endurance to physical activity in children with CP.

Effects of equine-assisted therapy on the functionality of individuals with disabilities: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the effects of Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT) on the functioning of individuals with different health conditions through a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCT). METHODS: This review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42018100035) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses recommendations. RCT were searched in eight different databases, using relevant keywords until July 7, 2020. Two independent reviewers performed selection of articles and data extraction that were synthesized and analyzed according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Methodological quality and evidence of the effects were established through the PEDro score and GRADE. For meta-analysis we used random effects method, pooled-effect results, and mean difference with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: Among 713 selected articles, 23 were included in the review. There is evidence of positive effects of the EAT on: exercise tolerance (p = .004) and quality of life (p < .0001), with high confidence in those effects; mobility (p = .002) and interpersonal interactions and relationships (p < .0001), with moderate confidence in those effects. CONCLUSION: There are significant positive effects of the EAT on exercise tolerance, mobility, interpersonal interactions and relationships and quality of life of people with disabilities.