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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Clin Pract / Horse-riding simulators in treatment of chronic low back pai...
International journal of clinical practice2021; 75(7); e14198; doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14198

Horse-riding simulators in treatment of chronic low back pain: A meta-analysis.

Abstract: The use of horse-riding simulators in the treatment of chronic low back pain has drawn considerable attention for its efficacy and acceptability to reduce chronic low back pain; because of the similarities in movements provided by equine-assisted therapies and the possible accessibility advantages. However, the results are conflicting. This study aimed to perform a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials to assess the impact of treatments based on horse-riding simulators on chronic low back pain. Methods: A systematic literature search up to January 2021 was performed and 11 studies were detected with 543 subjects with chronic low back pain at the baseline of the study, 257 of them were using horse-riding simulators, and 255 of them were inactive control group who continued their usual care, and similar kind of physical therapy (control). They reported a comparison between horse-riding simulators and control to reduce chronic low back pain. Mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated assessing the impact of treatments based on horse-riding simulators on chronic low back pain using the continuous method with a random or fixed-effect model. Results: Significantly higher change-from-baseline pain outcomes was observed in Visual Analogue Scale (MD, -4.36; 95% CI, -6.24 to -2.30, P < .001), and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire change-from-baseline (MD, -2.32; 95% CI, -3.52 to -1.12, P < .001) with horse-riding simulators compared with control. Conclusions: Using horse-riding simulators may lower the risk of chronic low back pain. This relationship forces us to recommend the use of horse-riding simulators to avoid any complications that could occur with chronic low back pain.
© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-04-08 PubMed ID: 33792117DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.14198Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Meta-Analysis

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article examines the use of horse-riding simulators as a treatment method for chronic low back pain. The results suggest that the simulators may lower the pain and disability caused by this condition.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers carried out a systematic literature review to gather data on randomised controlled trials that have considered the use of horse-riding simulators in treating chronic low back pain.
  • The review, conducted up until January 2021, analysed data from 543 patients suffering from chronic low back pain. Of these, 257 were treated with horse-riding simulators, whilst 255 were part of a control group that continued with their usual healthcare routines.
  • The treatment impact was measured through Mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). These were calculated using a continuous method with either a random or fixed-effect model.
  • The reviewers compared the impact on pain outcomes between the simulator group and the control group, focusing on the baseline difference recorded in each case.

Research Findings

  • Results showed a significantly higher change from baseline pain outcomes in the group treated with horse-riding simulators.
  • The review utilised two models, Visual Analogue Scale (a commonly used scale to measure pain intensity, where a higher score is an indicator of severe pain) and the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (an instrument used to assess physical disability caused by low back pain).
  • Findings showed significant improvements in both categories among individuals treated with horse-riding simulators compared to those in the control group.
  • Specifically, the MD in Visual Analogue Scale was -4.36, with a 95% CI of -6.24 to -2.30 (P < .001), while the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire showed a change from baseline of -2.32, with a 95% CI of -3.52 to -1.12 (P < .001).

Conclusions

  • Based upon the findings, using horse-riding simulators may reduce the risk of chronic low back pain severity and disability levels.
  • Given these promising results, the researchers suggested considering horse-riding simulators as part of the treatment regimen for chronic low back pain.
  • This is an alternative approach worth exploring, especially for patients for whom standard treatment methods may not be effective or suitable.

Cite This Article

APA
Ren C, Liu T, Zhang J. (2021). Horse-riding simulators in treatment of chronic low back pain: A meta-analysis. Int J Clin Pract, 75(7), e14198. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.14198

Publication

International journal of clinical practice
ISSN: 1742-1241
NlmUniqueID: 9712381
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 75
Issue: 7
Pages: e14198

Researcher Affiliations

Ren, Changsong
  • Department of Orthopedic, The People's Hospital of Kaizhou District, Chongqing, China.
Liu, Tianhui
  • Department of Orthopedic, The People's Hospital of Shizhu, Chongqing, China.
Zhang, Jichen
  • Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Taizhou First People's Hospital, Taizhou City, China.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Chronic Pain / therapy
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / therapy
  • Pain Measurement
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Visual Analog Scale

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Kocyigit BF, Adilbekov E, Zharmenov S, Akyol A, Yessirkepov M. Evaluating the efficacy of hippotherapy: a promising intervention in rheumatology, pain medicine, and geriatrics. Rheumatol Int 2023 Dec;43(12):2185-2191.
    doi: 10.1007/s00296-023-05451-xpubmed: 37700080google scholar: lookup
  2. Obrero-Gaitán E, Montoro-Cárdenas D, Cortés-Pérez I, Osuna-Pérez MC. Effectiveness of Mechanical Horse-Riding Simulator-Based Interventions in Patients with Cerebral Palsy-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022 Dec 11;9(12).
    doi: 10.3390/bioengineering9120790pubmed: 36550996google scholar: lookup
  3. Brea-Gómez B, Torres-Sánchez I, Ortiz-Rubio A, Calvache-Mateo A, Cabrera-Martos I, López-López L, Valenza MC. Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Nov 11;18(22).
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