Efficacy of Hippotherapy Simulator Exercise Program in Stroke Patients

Efficacy of Hippotherapy Simulator Exercise Program in Stroke Patients

The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of hippotherapy simulator exercises in addition to the conventional rehabilitation program on the balance, postural control, mobility, functional capacity, and independence levels of stroke patients.

Twenty-six 18- 65 years of patients with stroke were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups as hippotherapy simulator group (HSG) (n = 13) and conventional exercise group (CEG) (n = 13). Patients were evaluated with Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke (PASS) for postural control, Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI), and Time Up- Go Test (TUG) for mobility, 2min. Walking Test (2mWT) for functional capacity and Barthel Index (BI) for the level of independence respectively before and after treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Getting a diagnosis of stroke by a specialist physician,
• Being between the ages of 18-65,
• Having a stroke history of 3- 36 months,
• To be able to sit without support while both soles are in contact with the floor,
• To be able to walk independently with or without using a walking aid,
• To be able to understand and follow audio and visual warnings,
• Scoring 24 points or more from the Mini-Mental State Exam.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multiple stroke stories,
• Hemorrhagic type stroke history,
• Those with a history of falling in the past 1 year,
• Those with a history of epilepsy,
• Uncontrolled history of Hypertension and Diabetes