Therapeutic effects of a horse riding simulator in children with cerebral palsy

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Spastic diplegia is a form of cerebral palsy affecting motor control.
• Impaired sitting postural control is a common challenge for children with spastic diplegia.
• Innovative therapeutic approaches are needed to enhance motor function in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a horse riding simulator for improving sitting postural control in children with spastic diplegia.
• To compare the outcomes of simulator-based therapy with conventional physical therapy.

Main Methods:

• Forty children with spastic diplegia were randomized into a simulator group (RS) and a conventional therapy group (CT).
• Sitting postural control was measured using FScan/Fmat equipment, assessing antero-posterior (AP) and medio-lateral (ML) displacement.
• Participants were classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and the AUQEI questionnaire.

Main Results:

• The simulator group (RS) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in both AP (p<0.0001) and ML (p<0.0069) postural control post-intervention.
• No significant differences were reported for the conventional therapy (CT) group in the provided abstract.

Conclusions:

• Horse riding simulation therapy offers a significant benefit for improving sitting postural control in children with spastic diplegia.
• The simulator intervention also led to enhanced motor functionality and greater acceptance of therapy.
• This suggests that horse riding simulators are a valuable tool in pediatric rehabilitation for spastic diplegia.