The effectiveness of hippotherapy simulation exercises for muscle strength, disease activity and quality of life in sedentary adults with ankylosing spondylitis.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Newly created systems called hippotherapy simulators (HS) mimic the primitive movements of a live horse. As they are new systems, research examining their usefulness has been well received. The aim of this study is to research the effects of HS on disease activity, quality of life and muscle strength in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: In a prospective, assessor-blinded, block-randomized trial, 48 AS patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either HS or conventional home (CH) exercise therapy. All Participants received 48 sessions, that is 4 sessions a week for 12 consecutive weeks. The primary outcome measures included the quadriceps muscle strength, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale (ASQoL). RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, ASQoL and muscle strength scores compared to the baseline (p < 0.05). BASDAI, BASFI and BASMI scores decreased significantly in the HS group compared to the CH group at week 12 (p=.005, p=.003, p=.045, respectively), but there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of ASQoL and muscle strength scores at week 12 (p=.245, p=.212, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this clinical trial of HS exercises for AS patients indicate a positive effect on disease activity, quality of life and muscle strength. Therefore, horse-riding simulator exercises can be used as an alternative method for the management of individuals with AS.

Hippotherapy simulator exercises indicate a positive effect on disease activity, functionality and muscle strength in people with ankylosing spondylitisFor people with ankylosing spondylitis, hippotherapy simulator exercises are a safe workout for the spine that uses the core muscles.For people with ankylosing spondylitis, the hippotherapy simulator technique can be recommended as a long-lasting and affordable fitness program in the near future.To determine the efficacy of hippotherapy simulation exercise on other systemic chronic inflammatory disease future research are needed.

Effects of hippotherapy simulation exercise vs. conventional home exercises on muscle strength and balance in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of hippotherapy simulation exercise on the improvement of muscle strength, balance, spasticity, and quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Outpatient clinic at the rehabilitation clinic of University of Usak, Turkey PARTICIPANTS: Individuals with MS (n = 40) participated in this randomized clinical study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients in both groups received 36 treatment sessions, 3 times per week for 12 consecutive weeks. Subjects in the study group performed hippotherapy simulation exercise via a hippotherapy simulator device. The control group received conventional home exercises. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measures included the Monitoring My Multiple Sclerosis (MMMS) Scale, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test; quadriceps muscle strength was measured with a dynamometer. RESULTS: At the level of physical activity, post-intervention MMMS measures showed significant differences in both cases. TUG was significantly lower, and muscle strength and BBS were significantly higher in both post-interventions. No outcome measure showed a significant difference between the groups at both post-intervention and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study in the field of hippotherapy simulation exercise for people with MS indicate a positive effect on health conditions, balance, mobility skills, and muscle strength. Further studies are necessary to confirm these preliminary results.

The effect of high-intensity versus low-level laser therapy in the management of plantar fasciitis: a randomized clinical trial.

We aimed to compare the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF). Seventy patients were randomized into either the LLLT (8 men, 27 women; mean age 48.65 ± 10.81 years) or HILT (7 men, 28 women; mean age 48.73 ± 11.41 years) groups. LLLT (904 nm) and HILT (1064 nm) were performed three times per week, over a period of 3 weeks. Each treatment combined with silicone insole and stretching exercises. Patients' pain and functional status were evaluated with Visual Analog Scale, Heel Tenderness Index, and Foot and Ankle Outcome Score before and after treatment. A chi-square test was performed to compare demographic and clinical characteristics. Within-group and between-group differences were also investigated. Paired samples t test was used to analyze the differences between baseline and after treatment values, while independent samples t test was used to compare the two groups. Both groups contained similar demographic characteristics including age, sex, and body mass index (all p > 0.05). Three and two patients in the HILT and LLLT group, respectively, were lost to follow-up. At the study onset, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the Visual Analog Scale, Heel Tenderness Index, and Foot And Ankle Outcome Scores. Three weeks later, both groups showed significant improvement in all parameters (p < 0.05). The HILT group demonstrated better improvement in all parameters than the LLLT group. Although both treatments improved the pain levels, function, and quality of life in patients with PF, HILT had a more significant effect than LLLT.

Role of low-level laser therapy added to facial expression exercises in patients with idiopathic facial (Bell's) palsy.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in conjunction with conventional facial exercise treatment on functional outcomes during the early recovery period in patients with facial paralysis. Forty-six patients (mean age 41 ± 9.7 years; 40 women and 6 men) were randomized into two groups. Patients in the first group received low-level laser treatment as well as facial exercise treatment, while patients in the second group participated in facial exercise intervention alone. Laser treatment was administered at a wavelength of 830 nm, output power of 100 Mw, and frequency of 1 KHz using a gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAIAs, infrared laser) diode laser. A mean energy density of 10 J/cm2 was administered to eight points of the affected side of the face three times per week, for a total of 6 weeks. The rate of facial improvement was evaluated using the facial disability index (FDI) before, 3 weeks after, and 6 weeks after treatment. Friedman analysis of variance was performed to compare the data from the parameters repeatedly measured in the inner-group analysis. Bonferroni correction was performed to compare between groups as a post hoc test if the variance analysis test result was significant. To detect the group differences, the Bonferroni Student t test was used. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare numeric data between the groups. In the exercise group, although no significant difference in FDI scores was noted between the start of treatment and week 3 (p < 0.05), significant improvement was observed at week 6 (p < 0.001). In the laser group, significant improvement in FDI scores relative to baseline was observed at 3 and 6 weeks (p < 0.001). Improvements in FDI scores were significantly greater at weeks 3 and 6 in the laser group than those in the exercise group (p < 0.05). Our findings indicate that combined treatment with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and exercise therapy is associated with significant improvements in FDI when compared with exercise therapy alone.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Versus Kinesiology Taping in the Management of Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and kinesiology taping in the treatment of plantar fasciitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 80 patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. The patients were randomized into two groups as ESWT (9 males, 28 females; mean age 47.8±12.4 years; range 40 to 55 years) and kinesiology taping (KT, 7 males, 26 females; mean age 47.7±9.8 years; range 40 to 55 years) groups. Groups were similar regarding age, sex, and body mass index (all p>0.05). Three patients in ESWT group and seven patients in KT group were lost to follow-up. ESWT was applied once a week for five weeks, while KT was applied every five days for five weeks. Patients' pain and functional status were evaluated with visual analog scale, heel tenderness index, and foot and ankle outcome score before and after treatment. RESULTS: At the study onset, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in their visual analog scale, heel tenderness index, and foot and ankle outcome scores. Five weeks later, both groups showed significant improvement in all parameters (p<0.05), but no significant differences were observed between the groups in the visual analog scale, heel tenderness index, and foot and ankle outcome score scores. CONCLUSION: Both ESWT and KT treatments improved pain levels and function and quality of life in individuals with plantar fasciitis. Neither method was superior in treating plantar fasciitis.

Effects of Exergames on Balance, Functional Mobility, and Quality of Life of Geriatrics Versus Home Exercise Programme: Randomized Controlled Study.

AIM: To compare the effects of exergames (EGs) using the Xbox Kinect™ device and home exercise (HE) on balance, functional mobility, and quality of life of individuals aged 65 years or older. METHOD: One hundred participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomized to the EG or HE group. The EG group took part in a 6-week programme using the Xbox360Kinect™ device, and the HE group took part in a 6-week balance exercise programme at home 5 days a week. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess balance, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to evaluate functional walking, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life. RESULTS: Forty-eight participants in the EG group and 42 participants in the HE group completed the study. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and pretreatment values of BBS, TUG, and SF-36. Although the BBS scores of both groups improved significantly (all p<0.05), the post-treatment scores of the EG group were better than those of the HE group. The TUG scores improved only in the EG group (p<0.05). The increase in the BBS scores and decrease in the TUG test scores were significant only in the EG group (all p<0.05). A significant improvement was also observed in the quality of life parameters of physical functioning, social role functioning, physical role restriction, general health perceptions, and physical component scores in the post-exercise evaluations of the EG group. The participants commented that they found the EG programme very entertaining. CONCLUSION: The EG can be considered a safe, entertaining and sustainable alternative to HE programmes, and it may have positive effects on balance, functional walking and quality of life in geriatric subjects.