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NCT Number: NCT07758712

Effectiveness of a Horse Riding Simulator in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis

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.

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Key information

Conditions

Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent Core Stabilization Exercise Horseback Riding Postural Balance

Age range

10 year–19 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Bezmialem Vakıf University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Sefa Yıldırım

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905395984870

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 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

Exclusion criteria

  • 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

Treatment and study plan

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.

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.

Primary outcomes

  1. Balance

    Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks

    Balance will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System.

  2. Respiratory Muscle Strength

    Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks

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

Secondary outcomes

  1. Health-Related Quality of Life

    Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks

    Health-related quality of life will be evaluated using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire.

  2. Perceived Cosmetic Deformity

    Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks

    Perceived cosmetic deformity will be assessed using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Sefa Yıldırım

CONTACT

[email protected]

+905385984870

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bezmialem Vakif University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 11, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 11, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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