Effects of Horse Riding Simulator on Pain, Oswestry Disability Index and Balance in Adults with Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of Horse riding simulator exercise on pain, dysfunction and dynamic balance in adults with nonspecific chronic low back pain. METHODS: In this study, total 19 college students usually complain of low back pain who were randomly divided into the horse riding simulator exercise group (n=10), lumbar strengthening exercise group (n=9) were recruited. Each group carried out for 30 minutes exercise three times a week for 4 weeks. Horse riding simulator exercise group carried out 15 minutes horse riding simulator exercise and 15 minutes lumbar strengthening exercise. Lumbar strengthening exercise group carried out 30 minutes lumbar strengthening exercise. Visual analogue scale (VAS) were measured for evaluation back pain. Korean oswestry disability index (KODI) were measured for dysfunction. * This paper is abridgment of thesis for a master's degree of Shu-Yi Chen (2016).

Effects of Equine-Assisted Therapies or Horse-Riding Simulators on Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…On the other hand, the five studies using horse riding simulators involved 231 patients suffering from LBP. Participants were older in the studies with real horses (mean or median age higher than 50) compared to the studies using simulators, aged lower than 30 in four of the five included studies [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ] and ≈46 years in the remaining one [ 35 ].…”

“…For those with real horses, control groups received education about exercise and arthritis [ 25 ] or continued their previous therapy [ 26 ]. Regarding studies using simulators, two studies [ 32 , 33 ] had an inactive control group who continued their usual care, and three studies with some kind of physical therapy [ 31 , 34 , 35 ]. Regarding the interventions based on horse simulators, two meta-analyses were conducted.…”

Horse‐riding simulators in treatment of chronic low back pain: A meta‐analysis

“…This meta-analysis study based on 11 studies included 543 subjects with chronic low back pain; 257 of them were using horse-riding simulators and 255 of them were in control. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] The extent of the improvement in the Visual Analogue Scale and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire change-from-baseline pain outcomes was higher in horse-riding simulators than that in control and this was statistically significant in all populations studied. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] This finding suggests that a higher efficacy and acceptability were witnessed more often using horse-riding simulators in chronic low back pain treatment.…”

“…The reasons for the higher efficacy of horseriding simulators compared with control are likely multifactorial. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Though, the selected studies in our meta-analysis were randomised controlled trials; the analysis of outcomes should be with caution because of the high heterogeneity, the low number of studies and the small sample size of the selected studies and the potential risk of bias.…”

“…A total of 1050 unique studies were identified, of which 11 studies, between 2013 and 2020, fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] Details of included studies are as shown in Table 2 The 11 studies included 543 subjects with chronic low back pain; 257 of them were using horse-riding simulators, and 255 of them were inactive control group who continued their usual care, and similar kind of physical therapy (control).…”