Effects of hippotherapy simulation exercise vs. conventional home exercises on muscle strength and balance in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of hippotherapy simulation exercise on the improvement of muscle strength, balance, spasticity, and quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).

DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING: Outpatient clinic at the rehabilitation clinic of University of Usak, Turkey PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with MS (n = 40) participated in this randomized clinical study.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients in both groups received 36 treatment sessions, 3 times per week for 12 consecutive weeks. Subjects in the study group performed hippotherapy simulation exercise via a hippotherapy simulator device. The control group received conventional home exercises.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures included the Monitoring My Multiple Sclerosis (MMMS) Scale, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test; quadriceps muscle strength was measured with a dynamometer.

RESULTS: At the level of physical activity, post-intervention MMMS measures showed significant differences in both cases. TUG was significantly lower, and muscle strength and BBS were significantly higher in both post-interventions. No outcome measure showed a significant difference between the groups at both post-intervention and follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study in the field of hippotherapy simulation exercise for people with MS indicate a positive effect on health conditions, balance, mobility skills, and muscle strength. Further studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary results.