Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, cilt.68, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
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.