Effectiveness of a Horse Riding Simulator in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis

NCT07758712 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: BVUsyildirim04
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity associated with impaired respiratory muscle strength, balance, postural control, body image, and health-related quality of life. Core stabilization exercises are widely used in the conservative management of AIS. Horse riding simulator training reproduces the multidirectional rhythmic movements of horseback riding while eliminating the potential risks associated with conventional hippotherapy and may provide additional benefits for postural control and trunk muscle activation. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of adding horse riding simulator training to a core stabilization exercise program on respiratory muscle strength, balance, health-related quality of life, and perceived cosmetic deformity in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving horse riding simulator training combined with core stabilization exercises or a control group receiving core stabilization exercises alone. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the 12-week intervention.

Conditions

Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent; Core Stabilization Exercise; Horseback Riding; Postural Balance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Balance

  Balance will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System.

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Respiratory Muscle Strength

  Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) using a portable mouth pressure device.

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Health-Related Quality of Life

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

• Perceived Cosmetic Deformity

  Baseline and after 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Horse Riding Simulator + Core Stabilization

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive supervised 60-minute core stabilization exercises combined with 30-minute horse riding simulator training twice weekly for 12 weeks. Home-based core stabilization exercises will be performed on the remaining days of the week.

Device: Horse Riding Simulator; Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercises

Core Stabilization

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive supervised 60-minute core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 12 weeks. Home-based core stabilization exercises will be performed on the remaining days of the week.

Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercises

Interventions

Horse Riding Simulator DEVICE

Participants will receive 30-minute horse riding simulator training twice weekly for 12 weeks in addition to supervised core stabilization exercises. Each session consists of 5 minutes of warm-up at low speed, 20 minutes of training at the highest speed tolerated by the participant, and 5 minutes of cool-down at low speed.

Horse Riding Simulator + Core Stabilization

Core Stabilization Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Participants will perform supervised 60-minute core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 12 weeks. Home-based core stabilization exercises will be prescribed for the remaining days of the week.

Core Stabilization; Horse Riding Simulator + Core Stabilization

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years - 19 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
• Age between 10 and 19 years
• Cobb angle between 10° and 40°, measured on standing spinal radiographs
• Willingness of the participant and, when applicable, the parent or legal guardian to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Scoliosis of a non-idiopathic etiology
• History of surgery within the previous 3 months
• Presence of an orthopedic, neurological, or systemic condition that may prevent participation in the exercise program
• Cognitive, communication, or behavioral disorders that may interfere with understanding instructions, answering questions, or performing the exercises
• Participation in regular exercise on 3 or more days per week

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bezmialem Vakif University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bezmialem Vakıf University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Sefa Yıldırım

CONTACT

+905385984870; syildirim@bezmialem.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 6, 2026
• First Posted: August 11, 2026
• Study Start: August 5, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 10, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 10, 2027
• Last Updated: August 11, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Locations

TU (1)