Effects of the horse riding simulator and ball exercises on balance of the elderly

Seonggil Kim, Goon-Chang Yuk, Hwangbo Gak, Seonggil Kim, Goon-Chang Yuk, Hwangbo Gak

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of horse riding exercise using a horse riding simulator (HRS) and a ball on static and dynamic balance of elderly people. [Methods] Thirty-two elderly people hospitalized in geriatric hospitals were randomly assigned to the HRS exercise group or the ball exercise groups, and they performed exercise for eight weeks. [Results] The length of postural sway during quite standing with and without eyes closed significantly decreased in both groups after the exercises and there was no significant difference between both groups in the Romberg test. In the functional reach test (FRT), there were significant increases in distance in both groups after the exercises, and the distance of the HRS exercise group was significantly greater than that of the ball exercise group. In the Timed Up & Go test (TUG) and Timed 10-meter walk test (10MWT), the time significantly decreased in both groups, and there was a more significant decrease in the HRS exercise group than in the ball exercise group. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicate that HRS and ball exercises may improve the balance and gait ability of elderly people hospitalized in nursing homes or geriatric hospitals.

Keywords: Balance; Elderly; Hippotherapy.

References

    1. Sihvonen S, Kulmala J, Kallinen M, et al. : Postural balance and self-reported balance confidence in older adults with a hip fracture history. Gerontology, 2009, 55: 630–636
    1. Crotty M, Unroe K, Cameron ID, et al. : Rehabilitation interventions for improving physical and psychosocial functioning after hip fracture in older people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2010, CD007624
    1. McClure R, Turner C, Peel N, et al. : Population-based interventions for the prevention of fall-related injuries in older people. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2005, CD004441
    1. Kim YS, Jung HM: Effects of the leisure activity program on physical, physiological, psychological functions and activities of daily living in Elderly. J Korean Data Anal Soc, 2006, 8: 971–987
    1. Möhler R, Richter T, Köpke S, et al. : Interventions for preventing and reducing the use of physical restraints in long-term geriatric care. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2011, CD007546
    1. Dykes PC, Carroll DL, Hurley A, et al. : Fall prevention in acute care hospitals. JAMA, 2010, 304: 1912–1918
    1. Cameron ID, Murray GR, Gillespie LD, et al. : Interventions for preventing falls in older people in nursing care facilities and hospitals. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2010, CD005465
    1. Cumming RG, Sherrington C, Lord SR, et al. : Cluster randomised trial of a targeted multifactorial intervention to prevent falls among older people in hospital. BMJ, 2008, 336: 758–760
    1. Araujo TB, Silva NA, Costa JN, et al. : Effect of equine-assisted therapy on the postural balance of the elderly. Rev Bras Fisioter, 2011, 15: 414–419
    1. Beinotti F, Correia N, Christofoletti G, et al. : Use of hippotherapy in gait training for hemiparetic post-stroke. Arq Neuropsiquiatr, 2010, 68: 908–913
    1. Debuse D, Chandler C, Gibb C: An exploration of German and British physiotherapists’ views on the effects of hippotherapy and their measurement. Physiother Theory Pract, 2005, 21: 219–242
    1. Giagazoglou P, Arabatzi F, Dipla K, et al. : Effect of a hippotherapy intervention program on static balance and strength in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Res Dev Disabil, 2012, 33: 2265–2270
    1. Zadnikar M, Kastrin A: Effects of hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding on postural control or balance in children with cerebral palsy: a meta-analysis. Dev Med Child Neurol, 2011, 53: 684–691
    1. Bronson C, Brewerton K, Ong J, et al. : Does hippotherapy improve balance in persons with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 2010, 46: 347
    1. Lechner HE, Kakebeeke TH, Hegemann D, et al. : The effect of hippotherapy on spasticity and on mental well-being of persons with spinal cord injury. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2007, 88: 1241–1248
    1. Carrillo EH, Varnagy D, Bragg SM, et al. : Traumatic injuries associated with horseback riding. Scandinavian journal of surgery. SJS: official Organ for the Finnish Surgical Society and the Scandinavian Surgical Society, 2007, 96: 79
    1. Mitani Y, Doi K, Yano T, et al. : Effect of exercise using a horse-riding simulator on physical ability of frail seniors. J Phys Ther Sci, 2008, 20: 177–183
    1. Shurtleff TL, Standeven JW, Engsberg JR: Changes in dynamic trunk/head stability and functional reach after hippotherapy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2009, 90: 1185–1195
    1. Steffen TM, Hacker TA, Mollinger L: Age-and gender-related test performance in community-dwelling elderly people: six-minute walk test, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up & Go Test, and gait speeds. Phys Ther, 2002, 82: 128–137
    1. Bohannon RW: Comfortable and maximum walking speed of adults aged 20–79 years: reference values and determinants. Age Ageing, 1997, 26: 15–19
    1. Melzer I, Kurz I, Oddsson LI: A retrospective analysis of balance control parameters in elderly fallers and non-fallers. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 2010, 25: 984–988
    1. Kim YH: A study on the related of daily life activity and the health related quality of life between the elderly at home and at institution. J Korean Data Anal Soc, 2009, 11: 1273–1287
    1. Heine B: Hippotherapy. A multisystem approach to the treatment of neuromuscular disorders. Aust J Physiother, 1997, 43: 145
    1. Nam JS, Yang JH: Factors influencing depression of frail elderly with chronic disease in long-term care hospitals. J Korean Data Anal Soc, 2012, 14: 3035–3047

Source: PubMed

Patrocinadores y Colaboradores

Condiciones médicas

Intervenciones de drogas

3
Suscribir