The Effects of Horseback Riding Simulator Exercise on Postural Balance of Chronic Stroke Patients

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of horseback riding simulator exercise on postural balance of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects] A total of 67 stroke patients were assigned either to a horseback riding simulator exercise group (HEG, n=34) or a mat exercise group (MEG, n=33). [Methods] The subjects exercised three times per week for 8 weeks. Static balance ability was determined by eyes open balance (EOB) and eyes closed balance (ECB), which was measured using a Kinesthetic Ability Trainer Balance system. Dynamic balance was evaluated using the Berg balance scale (BBS). [Results] EOB and ECB significantly decreased and BBS had significantly increased after the intervention in the HEG and the MEG, and ECB decreased and BBS increased significantly more in the HEG than in the MEG. [Conclusion] Horseback riding simulator exercise is more effective than mat exercise for improving the ECB and BBS of stroke patients.

Equine Exercise in Younger and Older Adults: Simulated Versus Real Horseback Riding

“…The effects of HR are particularly interesting with regard to an aging population, as HR facilitates postural muscle activation, including the rectus femoris (RF), erector spinae (ES), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA; Lee et al, 2011;Park, Lee, Lee, & Lee, 2013). Activation of these core muscles plays an important role in improving postural control among older adults, because it facilitates performance of activities of daily living by facilitating the transfer of intersegmental momentum and torque between upper and lower limbs (Behm, Drinkwater, Willardson, & Cowley, 2010).…”

Effectiveness of Mechanical Horse-Riding Simulators on Postural Balance in Neurological Rehabilitation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The study with the highest score on the PEDro scale was that of Herrero et al [29] with a score of 8, considering good its methodological quality. On the other hand, three studies [41,43,44] obtained the lowest score with a score of 3, considering poor its methodological quality. Table 2 shows the results obtained by the different studies included in the PEDro scale.…”

“…Borges et al [40] included the youngest sample, and Han et al [43] the oldest sample. Concerning gender distribution, there are two balanced studies [30,44], three with a higher proportion of men [29,41,43], and one with a higher proportion of women [40]. Regarding the sample size, Park et al [44] had the highest total number of participants (N = 67); Choi et al [41], Cho et al [42], and Temcharoensuk et al [30] had the lowest sample size (N = 30).…”

“…Concerning gender distribution, there are two balanced studies [30,44], three with a higher proportion of men [29,41,43], and one with a higher proportion of women [40]. Regarding the sample size, Park et al [44] had the highest total number of participants (N = 67); Choi et al [41], Cho et al [42], and Temcharoensuk et al [30] had the lowest sample size (N = 30). Furthermore, there is no information about the sample size calculation, and in some cases, the selected number of subjects could be insufficient, becoming a design drawback.…”

“…In terms of comparison intervention, five studies [40][41][42][43][44] compared the effects of HRS with CPT. Exercises performed on a mattress in the study by Park et al [44] have been considered CPT. Herrero et al [29] and Temcharoensuk et al [30] used the off HRS as a control group.…”