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Received: 20 January 2020 Revised: 14 May 2020 Accepted: 5 July 2020

DOI: 10.1002/pri.1870

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of horse riding simulator on sitting motor function in


children with spastic cerebral palsy

Hemachithra Chinniah1 | Meena Natarajan1 | Ramanathan Ramanathan2 |


John William Felix Ambrose3

1
Division of PM&R, RMMC&H, Annamalai
University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India Abstract
2
Department of Paediatrics, RMMC&H, Background: Horse riding simulator (HRS) is an electronic horse, working under the
Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil
principles of hippotherapy. It is one of the advanced therapeutic methods to improve
Nadu, India
3
RMMC, Annamalai University, Annamalai postural control and balance in sitting, which could be recommended in the rehabili-
Nagar, Tamil Nadu, India tation of cerebral palsy if real horses are unavailable.

Correspondence Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects of HRS on sitting motor function in
Chinniah Hemachithra, Division of PM&R, children with spastic diplegia and evaluate the changes in sitting motor function at
RMMC&H, Annamalai University, Annamalai
Nagar 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India. different periods of time (4, 8 and 12 weeks).
Email: chitupt@gmail.com Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted over a period of
12 weeks. Thirty children with spastic diplegia age between 2 and 4 years with Gross
Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Level I–III were included and divided
into two groups. The control group received the conventional physiotherapy while
the experimental group received HRS along with conventional physiotherapy. Sitting
motor function was assessed by Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)-88 (sitting
dimension B) at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Pre- and post-intervention scores were
measured and analysed.
Results: The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups before the interven-
tion with p > .01. The observed mean value of GMFM in both groups improved over
a period of 12 weeks. The results denote that the sitting motor function gradually
improved over a period of time in both groups and the experimental group showed
significant improvement (p < .01) than the control group in all the weeks.
Conclusion: The study results confirmed that gradual improvement in sitting motor
function was observed in both groups. Children exposed to HRS show better
improvement than the children in the control group. It was concluded that HRS is
effective in improving the sitting motor function in children with spastic diplegia and
the continuous provision of HRS in longer duration provide more benefits than the
shorter duration.

KEYWORDS

hippotherapy, horse riding simulator, sitting motor function, spastic diplegia

Physiother Res Int. 2020;e1870. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pri © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd 1 of 8
https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1870
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1 | I N T RO DU CT I O N Measure (GMFM)-88 (sitting dimension B) is a standard measure


which is generally used to examine various dimensions of sitting
Hippotherapy is a physical therapy strategy using rhythmical equine motor function (Brunton & Bartlett, 2011). Limited studies have
movement of the horses which provides a dynamic base of support and addressed the beneficial effects of HRS on postural control in sitting
considered as a therapeutic tool for the rehabilitation of children with  ski & Słonka, 1999; Zurek, Dudek,
(Kijima et al., 2003; Kuczyn
cerebral palsy (CP) (Whalen & Case-Smith, 2012; Zadnikar & Pirogowicz, Dziuba, & Pokorski, 2008). Unavailability of this mechani-
Kastrin, 2011). Several researches have been published regarding the cal device challenges the use of this technology in routine care and
beneficial effects of hippotherapy: it inhibits the pathological reflexes; lack of periodical assessment. The aim of the study was to evaluate
corrects abnormal muscle tone and pelvic tilt; improves postural control, the therapeutic efficacy of HSR on the sitting ability of CP children at
motor function, balance, coordination and equilibrium in patients with different periods of time. The specific objective of this study was to
neurological dysfunction (Cherng, Liao, Leung, & Hwang, 2004; Lechner, investigate whether HRS may improve the postural control and sitting
Kakebeeke, & Hegemann, 2007; Shinomiya et al., 2003; Shurtleff, motor function of children with spastic diplegia.
Standeven, & Engsberg, 2009; Snider, Korner-Bitensky, Kammann, War-
ner, & Saleh, 2007; Sterba, 2007). The therapeutic results obtained with
the application of hippotherapy treatment have encouraged research 2 | METHODS
into development of the mechanical horseback riding therapy (Kijima
et al., 2003). Horse riding simulator (HRS) is an electronic horse which 2.1 | Study design
provides rhythmical and repetitive movements like real horses and has
become more accessible to patients with neurological impairment The randomized controlled trial (RCT) was carried out in the depart-
(Quint & Toomey, 1998). Mohamed (2014) proved that hippotherapy ment of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R). The study was
simulator is an alternative method for hippotherapy and could be used conducted over the period from July 2018 to December 2019.
for the modulation of back geometry and improving balance in CP chil-
dren. The following studies have proved the beneficial effects of HRS,
which could be a useful alternative to hippotherapy for improving bal- 2.2 | Subjects
ance in children with CP (Chae-Woo, Kim, & Na, 2014; Hemachithra
et al., 2019b; Mohamed, 2014; Quint & Toomey, 1998). Forty children with spastic diplegia were recruited from the division of
CP is a common disorder that causes physical disability in children PM&R based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion criteria:
throughout life and begins in early childhood. Spastic type was the most clinically diagnosed spastic diplegia, age between 2 and 4 years, both
common type of CP, about 65% in which diplegia constitutes about sex, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level (1, 2
23% (Pallavi, Sharma, Jamwal, Digra, & Saini, 2019). Defective postural and 3), adductor spasticity level (0, 1, 1+ and 2 as per modified ashworth
control is one of the most significant problems in children with scale), ability to sit upright with support. Exclusion criteria: children
CP. Bulent, Bozkurt, Oskay, and Oksuz (2017) stated that children with exposed to recent neurological and orthopaedic surgeries, uncontrolled
spastic diplegia had significant muscle weakness and insufficient propri- seizures, unable to tolerate the oscillatory movements, visual and hear-
oception and tactile sense in trunk and postural muscles. Children with ing impairment. The procedure for this RCT is summarized in Figure 1.
CP have decreased pelvic movements that lead to awkward movements They were divided into two groups: Group A – the experimental group;
and poor postural control in sitting posture. Postural control in sitting Group B – the control group. Each group consists of 20 children. Group
correlated with the hand reaching performance and interacts with upper allocations were carried out by concealed random allocation method.
extremity control to ensure successful movement of hand (Nur, Saat, & The pre-assessment were recorded including the basic data such as age,
Kamaralzaman, 2016). Maintaining postural control is required for the sex, level of motor function by GMFCS and the sitting motor function
performance of the activities of daily living (ADL; Van der Heide by GMFM-88 (sitting dimension – B). After the pre-assessment, each
et al., 2004). Sitting ability is very important for the child to achieve the child received an intervention according to the group and further post-
upright posture against gravity and also essential to provide the postural assessment, the important study variable GMFM-88 scores for sitting
background required for the functional movements of upper extremity. motor function were recorded.
Children with spastic diplegia suffer from poor postural reflexes, poor
alignment of the trunk and abnormal back geometry which lead to
rounded back with kyphotic curvature of the spine and asymmetry of 2.3 | Materials
the trunk while sitting (Graham, 2003; Park, Park, Lee, & Cho, 2001).
HRS is one of the advanced therapeutic methods to improve pos- 2.3.1 | Horse riding simulator
tural control and balance in sitting, which could be recommended in
the rehabilitation of CP if real horses are unavailable (Peeraya, OSIM U-Gallop (OS-950 Gallop 2) was used in this study. It is an innova-
Lekskulchai, Akamanon, Ritruechai, & Sutcharitpongsa, 2015). Evalua- tive indoor exercise equipment which utilizes the oscillatory action of the
tion of subtle changes in sitting ability is required to monitor the seat to stimulate the horse riding experience. It has four manual speed
effectiveness of assigned intervention. The Gross Motor Function modes and one auto program with variations in speed. Strategically
CHINNIAH ET AL. 3 of 8

FIGURE 1 Consort flow


diagram

FIGURE 2 Horse riding simulator


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located control panel allows easy access, stirrup and handle strap are 3 | STATISTICAL ANALYSIS AND RESULTS
available for more comfort. The simulator is shown in Figure 2. HRS pro-
vides oscillations in both directions, antero-posterior and lateral which Chi-square test was applied to find out the association of age, sex and
cover movements in all planes (sagittal, frontal and transverse planes). level of motor function (GMFCS) between the control group and the
experimental group at baseline. Student's t-test has been applied to
find out the significant difference in height, weight and sitting motor
2.4 | Study procedure function (GMFM) between the groups at baseline. “2 × 4 ANOVA
test” and “Repeated contrast test” have been applied to find out the
Brief explanation about the study procedures was given to the parents difference within the group and between the groups. Statistical ana-
and guardians and informed consent was obtained from them. The lyses were done by SPSS version 18 with the level of significance set
experimental group received HRS along with the conventional physio- at .05.
therapy management while the control group received conventional Table 1 shows the distribution of age, sex and GMFCS by group.
physiotherapy only. Both groups were exposed to 30 min of conven- The purpose of the table is to find out whether a variation exists
tional physiotherapy and the experimental group was allowed to ride between the experimental and the control group children based on
HRS for an additional 15 min. During the treatment session, children the above-mentioned variables. Chi-square test was applied. The non-
(experimental group) were placed on the saddle and asked to maintain significant p-values indicate that age, sex and level of motor function
sitting posture. The therapist helped the patients to be safe by stabiliza- (GMFCS) scores were similar in both groups. The values observed in
tion of pelvis and provide support to the children whenever needed. Table 2 demonstrate the difference exists in anthropometric measure-
The mechanical horseback riding therapy produces the movement of ments such as height, weight and GMFM scores between the groups
the saddle at three pre-defined tilt levels. Basic conditioning (flat), for- at baseline. Student's t-test has been applied and the observed p-
ward tilt and backward tilt and lateral tilt. Children in the intervention value is insignificant which denotes that the above-mentioned vari-
group received 15 min of riding session, three times per week for ables are similar between the groups before the intervention. Table 3
12 weeks along with the conventional physiotherapy, while the children displays the mean and SD of observed GMFM scores at different
in control group received conventional physiotherapy (positioning, periods of assessment in the control group. The significant p-value
stretching and balance activities in sitting position) for 30 min. The (<.001) shows that a gradual improvement occurred from baseline to
speed of the machine was set at Level 1 for the first week and slowly 4, 4–8 and 8–12 weeks. Similar results were found in the experimen-
increased to Level 2 and Level 3 depending upon the accessibility of the tal group displayed in Table 4.
children for consecutive weeks. All the children were treated by experi- The observed mean value of GMFM in the control group is
enced paediatric physical therapist. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 49.21% at baseline and increased to 64.28% at the end of 12 weeks.
regular intervals in 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The therapist was blinded to the In the experimental group, it was observed as 54.18% at baseline
group allocation and time of assessment. Pre- and post-assessment which increased to 82.74% at the end of 12 weeks, as shown in
were taken by the same examiner to reduce the possible bias. Table 5. The results indicate that GMFM scores have improved from
baseline to end of 12 weeks in both groups, but comparatively the
experimental groups show higher mean values than the control group.
2.5 | Outcome measures Table 5 shows the significant difference within the groups and
between the groups among the study population. 2 × 4 ANOVA test
Sitting motor function was assessed by GMFM-88 (sitting dimen- with last variable as a repeated measures was applied; in this test,
sion B). 2 refers to the two groups, that is, the control group and the

T A B L E 1 Distribution of age, sex and


Variables Control group (N = 15) Experimental group (N = 15)
gross motor function level (GMFCS) of
Age N Percentage N Percentage Chi-square test p-Value children (both groups)
2 7 46.7 11 73.3 2.22 .136*
3 8 53.3 4 26.7
Gender
Male 5 33.3 8 53.3 1.22 .269*
Female 10 66.7 7 46.7
GMFCS
Level 1 2 13.3 2 13.3 1.38 .500*
Level 2 5 33.3 8 53.3
Level 3 8 53.3 5 33.3

p – level of significance, * – non-significant.


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TABLE 2 Mean and SD of height, weight and GMFM (sitting dimension) scores of children in both groups before intervention

Control group Experimental group

Variables Mean SD Mean SD t-Value p-Value


Height 81.47 8.45 80.93 7.74 0.180 .858*
Weight 9.08 1.59 9.51 1.59 0.734 .469*
GMFM (B) 49.21 7.72 54.18 7.43 1.002 .325*

Abbreviation: GMFM, Gross Motor Function Measure (sitting dimension B).


p – level of significance,* – non-significant.

TABLE 3 Mean and SD and ANOVA of GMFM (sitting B) in control group at different periods

Control group ANOVA repeated Repeated contrast test

GMFM (B) Mean SD F value p-Value Comparison F value p value


Baseline 49.21 7.72 134.79 <.001 Baseline vs. 4 weeks 47.05 <.001
4 weeks 54.59 7.64 4 weeks vs. 8 weeks 107.84 <.001
8 weeks 59.62 8.05 8 weeks vs. 12 weeks 138.54 <.001
12 weeks 64.28 8.59

Abbreviation: GMFM, Gross Motor Function Measure (sitting dimension).


p – level of significance.

TABLE 4 Mean SD and ANOVA of GMFM (sitting B) in experimental group at different periods

Experimental group ANOVA repeated Repeated contrast test

GMFM (B) Mean SD F value p-value Comparison F value p value


Baseline 54.18 7.43 199.37 <.001 Baseline vs. 1 week 130.09 <.001
4 weeks 64.32 8.8 1 week vs. 2 weeks 92.90 <.001
8 weeks 73.35 8.60 2 weeks vs. 3 weeks 109.44 <.001
12 weeks 82.74 8.82

p – level of significance.

T A B L E 5 Comparison of GMFM
Repeated contrast test value
within subjects and between subjects in
the control and experimental group (2 * 4 Source F value p value Comparison F value p value
ANOVA repeated measures test results)
Between subjects
Group 5.37 .028
Within subjects
Assessment 329.74 <.001 Baseline vs. 4 weeks 171.36 <.001
4 week vs. 8 weeks 177.73 <.001
8 weeks vs. 12 weeks 205.15 <.001
Assessment* 31.01 <.001 Baseline vs. 4 weeks 16.08 <.001
4 weeks vs. 8 weeks 14.37 <.001
8 weeks vs. 12 weeks 23.22 <.001

Abbreviation: GMFM, Gross Motor Function Measure (sitting dimension).


p – level of significance.
*Interaction effect between two groups.

experimental group, and 4 refers to the number of assessments, such the experimental group with respective scores of GMFM. To get more
as baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The corresponding p value of “group” details of the difference within the subjects, a comparison has been
indicates that there is a significant difference between the control and done. Assessment * group (Interaction effect): the significant p value
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(p < .001) infers that the changes occurring between the four assess- groups before the intervention. GMFM (sitting dimension B) consists
ments for the two groups are statistically different. “Repeated con- of 20 items that cover all the movement patterns used in the daily life
trast test” has been applied. The results strongly suggest that all the situations. It is sufficient to find out the improvements in the sitting
comparisons, that is, baseline and 4 weeks, 4 and 8 weeks, 8 and ability in daily life. Moreover, in this study, GMFCS as a functional
12 weeks, were found to be statistically different. These results indi- scale is used for the evaluation of the functional level of children, and
cate that more improvement has been observed in the experimental not used as an outcome measure. The experimental group exposed to
group from the first week onwards than the control group. Hence, it mechanical horse riding with HRS for 15 min per day, 3 times/week
has been proven that children exposed to HRS have attained better for 12 weeks along with the conventional physiotherapy, whereas the
sitting ability than the children in the control group. control group was exposed to the conventional therapy only. The
periodical improvements in GMFM scores were evaluated at different
levels at baseline, at the end of 4, 8 and 12 weeks in both groups.
4 | DISCUSSION Regarding the treatment protocol, this study is similar to the study
done by Bagheri et al. (2017) who conducted study with the same
Hippotherapy works under the principle of generation of motor protocol, that is, 15 min of HRS, 3 times per week and addressed the
impulses from the back of the horse to the rider. These locomotor benefits of HRS improving motor functions.
impulses transformed from the horse's body to the rider in three The main findings from the study revealed that GMFM scores
movement planes. These rhythmical movements and the three- were gradually improved in both groups at different periods of treat-
dimensional sway of horseback riding stimulate the postural reflex ment. This denotes that the sitting motor function gradually improved
mechanism resulting in balance and coordination training in patients over a period in both groups. The improvement in the sitting motor
with neurological impairment (Janura, Peham, Dvorakova, & function was significantly different between the groups. The interven-
Elfmark, 2009). Many studies have proved the therapeutic effects of tion group, that is, children exposed to HRS, showed significant
hippotherapy (El-Meniawy & Thabet, 2012; Hemachithra et al., improvement than the children in the control group. The observed
2019a; Lechner et al., 2003). HRS is working under the same princi- mean value of GMFM in both groups has been improved over a
ples of hippotherapy which imitates the movement of a horse riding period of 12 weeks such as baseline to 4 weeks, 4–8 weeks and
by producing three-dimensional movements similar to the horse walk- 8–12 weeks. Even though both groups have shown improvement in
ing pattern (Fernandes, Chitra, & Metgud, 2008; Herrero, Gómez- sitting motor function, the experimental group showed better
ski &
Trullén, Asensio, & Garcia, 2012; Kijima et al., 2003; Kuczyn improvement than the control group in all the weeks. In the experi-
Słonka, 1999; Silva e Borges, Werneck, da Silva, Gandolfi, & mental group, the children accommodated well on the saddle and
Pratesi, 2011). Even though hippotherapy has many therapeutic bene- mastered in executing the anticipatory postural adjustments within
fits, it has some primary and secondary constraints like difficulty in 4 weeks. In the initial period (4 weeks), the development was faster
mounting the horses, higher costs, fear of horses, allergic conditions, and later saturation level exists in the speed of development of motor
weather conditions and high risk of injuries (Ball, Ball, Kirkpatrick, & function due to learning effect, which is not statistically significant.
Mulloy, 2007; Janura et al., 2009; Thomas, Annest, Gilchrist, & Bixhy- While riding the simulator, body awareness in space was continuously
Hammett, 2006). Mechanical HRS was invented to overcome these facilitated to maintain the centre of gravity within the base of support.
constraints, which could be used at any place and more accessible and Anticipatory and compensatory postural adjustments produced by the
adaptable to the patients. children while riding the HRS improve postural control in sitting. The
The purpose of the study was to investigate the therapeutic effi- children actively started to generate the protective mechanism to pre-
cacy of HRS on sitting ability of children with spastic diplegia. Thirty vent falling off and maintain the posture. These are all the responsible
children with spastic diplegia were included in this study and they factors to improve postural stability, balance and equilibrium reactions
were divided into two groups: the control group and the experimental and correction of upright alignment in sitting (El-Meniawy &
group, and each group consist of 15 children. The basic characteristics ski & Słonka, 1999;
Thabet, 2012; Kitagawa et al., 2001; Kuczyn
of the study population in both groups were evaluated and observed Mitani et al., 2008; Shurtleff et al., 2009). These explanations there-
for similarity between the groups, which was confirmed by the results, fore strongly support the improvement of active and reactive sitting
that is, both groups are homogeneous at baseline. Gender was evenly motor function in the present study. Literature have proved that the
distributed in both groups and the anthropometric measurements also HRS produces continuous and rhythmic muscular contractions on the
show similarity between the groups. This study includes children aged riders to maintain the upright posture and also repeated three-
2–4 years. In the control group, it was equally distributed. In the dimensional movement patterns promote the activation of trunk
experimental group, it shows inequality in which more number of chil- flexors and extensors (Kitagawa et al., 2001; Nakajima et al., 1999;
dren observed as younger. It happened accidentally, not skewed or Shinomiya et al., 2001; Shinomiya, Wang, Ishida, & Kimura, 2002).
biased. Even though some imbalance existed, this does not affect the Therefore, it was assumed that repetitive postural adjustments would
results because the age group interval is minimal. The sitting motor have led to induce contraction of pelvic, lumbar and abdominal mus-
function of the children in both groups was evaluated by GMFM-88 cles, finally improving the sitting motor function in children with spas-
(sitting dimension B); the scores obtained were similar between the tic diplegia (Encheff, Armstrong, Masterson, Fox, & Gribble, 2012).
CHINNIAH ET AL. 7 of 8

The study results were consistent with the study done by Peeraya motivation and participation. The children enjoyed a lot during the rid-
et al. (2015) which stated that astride sitting posture on simulator ing session without any adverse effects. From the results, it was
improves active control in sitting and moreover the author used the observed that the children who received HRS along with the conven-
similar equipment (OSIM U-Gallop) in his study to provide riding inter- tional treatment show better improvement in sitting motor function in
vention and explored the immediate effect of HRS in improving sitting all different durations, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, than the children who
ability in children with CP. He concluded that HRS is effective in received conventional treatment alone. The observed level of
improving sitting postural control in CP similar to hippotherapy. Fur- improvement was better in 12 weeks than 4 and 8 weeks, which
ther, this study results are supported by Herrero et al. (2012). denotes that the treatment in longer duration (12 weeks) is more ben-
 ski and Słonka (1999) justified the therapeutic effects of
Kuczyn eficial than the shorter duration. It was concluded that the HRS is
mechanical horse riding in improving sagittal plane stability with the effective in improving sitting motor function in children with spastic
treatment protocol for 3 months but they did not include the evalua- diplegia. Provision of this kind of complementary therapy added more
tion of sitting ability at different periods of treatment with HRS. This fun in the rehabilitation of children with CP. It is also safe and cost-
study results show that a gradual improvement in sitting ability was effective in clinical set-up when the real horse is unavailable.
observed in both groups over a period of time at different levels.
Improvement in GMFM scores in longer duration observed was better ET HICAL APPROVAL
than that in the shorter duration, which denotes the sitting motor This study was approved by the Institution Human Ethics Committee
function of the children was much improved in 12 weeks than (IHEC), Rajah Muthiah Medical College, Annamalai University.
8 weeks and 4 weeks. Continuous provision of HRS in longer duration
along with the conventional physiotherapy provides more benefits AC KNOW LEDG EME NT
than the shorter duration. The authors would like to acknowledge the participation of children
and their families who cooperated well throughout the research
process.
4.1 | Limitations of the study
CONFLIC T OF INT ER E ST
There are several limitations in the study: the major limitations include The authors declare no conflict of interest.
small sample size and lack of long-term follow-up. Evaluation of addi-
tional outcome measures such as spasticity, muscle strength, sensory AUTHOR CONTRIBU TIONS
parameter, gait analysis and ADL may be included in the future trail All the authors equally contributed to the concept of the study. Dr
design. Even though GMFM (B) includes various activities of sitting N. Meena and Dr R. Ramanathan were involved in the conceptualiza-
ability, attention was not paid into detail on the different items of sit- tion and review of the manuscript. Dr A. J. W. Felix helped in data
ting dimension and participation level of children was not evaluated. analysis and interpretation.
This study included only one type of CP, that is, children with spastic
diplegia with mild and moderate disability levels, so results of this
OR CID
study can be interpreted with respect to this type only. Further study
Hemachithra Chinniah https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7967-6657
should be focused on children with various types and severity levels
of CP. Despite the several limitations mentioned above this, study has
RE FE RE NCE S
some important strengths: this is the first study analysing the effect of
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HRS on sitting motor function at different periods of time, that is,
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