The effects of mechanical hippotherapy riding on postural control, balance, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with stroke

PurposeD: This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercises by mechanical hippotherapy devices on postural control, balance, mobility, and Quality of Life in patients with stroke. Material and methods: This was a randomized controlled clinical trial with a total of 30 which were randomly divided into two groups. The participants in the mechanical hippotherapy group (MHG) (n = 15) were given exercises with a mechanical hippotherapy device for 15 min in addition to intensive conventional treatments (45 min), while the control group (CG) (n = 15) received additional 15 min of postural control and balance exercises for five days per week for four consecutive weeks. The primary outcome was The Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Secondary outcomes were the Fugl–Meyer (FM) Rating Scale, Biodex Balance Measurement (BBM), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and quality of Life Short Form (SF-36). Results: In the MHG, FM-Lower extremity score (?6.4, p = 0.024), FM-Upper extremity score (?12.87, p = 0.013), TIS (?5.87, p = 0.04) and TUG (5.73, p = 0.027) improved statistically significant compared to CG. Conclusion: Exercises using mechanical hippotherapy devices could improve postural control, functional mobility and balance in patients with stroke. It may also improve the quality of life. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT03528993IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION NCT03528993 It was concluded from our results that mechanical hippotherapy could be included in the treatment programs of stroke patients.