[Purpose] A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the immediate
effects of horseback riding (HR) and a dynamic (DHS) and static (SHS) horse riding
simulator (OSIM uGallop, Taiwan) on sitting ability of children with cerebral palsy.
[Subjects and Methods] Thirty children with cerebral palsy were recruited and randomly
assigned into three groups. Children received 30 minutes of exercise according to their
assigned group. The Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and Gross Motor Function
Measure-66 (GMFM-66) sitting dimension were used to assess children in all groups both
before and after the interventions. [Results] Sitting abilities were significantly
improved after all interventions. Horseback riding showed the most improvement, followed
by the dynamic and static horse riding simulator groups. Horseback riding also showed a
significant improvement in the GMFM sitting dimension. [Conclusion] Horseback riding was
the best intervention for promoting sitting ability of children with spastic cerebral
palsy. However, a dynamic horse riding simulator can be a good surrogate for horseback
riding when horseback riding is not available.
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