Horse-riding simulator
Authors: 김운영
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Horse-riding Simulator in Cerebral Palsy Rehabilitation A randomised controlled trial of 32 children with cerebral palsy examined whether mechanical horse-riding simulators could enhance upper limb function, trunk control and daily living skills when used alongside conventional physiotherapy. The 16 children in the simulator group received additional training on the device whilst the control group continued standard therapy alone, with outcomes measured using validated assessment tools including hand function tests, trunk control scales and functional disability inventories. Simulator training produced significantly greater improvements in hand dexterity (p<0.001) and most hand function parameters compared to conventional therapy alone, with particular benefits in grip strength, object manipulation and bilateral coordination; trunk control also improved significantly in the simulator group (p=0.003), and children demonstrated meaningful gains in self-care, mobility and social function in daily life (all p≤0.016). Whilst gross motor sitting ability showed no change in either group, the ability to programme movement difficulty progressively within the simulator offers a mechanically consistent and weather-independent training environment that could complement traditional rehabilitation without requiring access to live horses. For equine professionals involved in therapeutic riding programmes, these findings support the integration of simulator technology as an evidence-based adjunct—particularly in indoor settings or where live animal interactions present safety constraints—though the results here reflect paediatric cerebral palsy populations and transferability to other equine therapy contexts warrants further investigation.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Horse riding simulators may be a practical addition to conventional physiotherapy for children with cerebral palsy, particularly for improving hand function and trunk control
- •Indoor availability and programmable difficulty levels make simulators accessible for gradual progression in rehabilitation settings
- •This therapy shows potential for improving functional abilities in daily living activities, not just motor control
Key Findings
- •Horse riding simulator group showed significantly greater improvement in hand function scores (ABILHAND-Kids) compared to control group (p<0.001)
- •Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test parameters showed significant differences favoring horse riding simulator group across most measures (p=0.001-0.002)
- •Trunk control measurement scale total scores improved significantly in horse riding simulator group versus control (p=0.003)
- •Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory showed significant improvements in self-care, mobility, and social function in horse riding simulator group (p<0.001-0.016)