An interventional study of Horse Riding Simulator and Core Stabilization Exercises in Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent, Core Stabilization Exercise and Horseback Riding, sponsored by Bezmialem Vakif University. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 10 Years to 19 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-22.
Sponsored by Bezmialem Vakif University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
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.
660 studies on the registry are indexed under Scoliosis; 186 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 30 is below the median of 45 across 386 interventional studies indexed under Scoliosis.
Browse Scoliosis studies →Bezmialem Vakif University is the lead sponsor of 354 studies on the registry; 59 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will receive supervised 60-minute core stabilization exercises combined with 30-minute horse riding simulator training twice weekly for 12 weeks. Home-based core stabilization exercises will be performed on the remaining days of the week.
Device: Horse Riding Simulator · Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercises
Participants will receive supervised 60-minute core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 12 weeks. Home-based core stabilization exercises will be performed on the remaining days of the week.
Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercises
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.
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.
Balance
Balance will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Respiratory Muscle Strength
Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) using a portable mouth pressure device.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Cobb Angle
The Cobb angle will be measured on standing spinal radiographs as the angle formed by the intersection of lines drawn perpendicular to the endplates of the upper and lower end vertebrae of the spinal curvature. Measurements will be recorded in degrees (°), with higher values indicating greater spinal curvature severity.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Angle of Trunk Rotation
The angle of trunk rotation will be measured using a Bunnell scoliometer during the Adam's forward bending test. Measurements will be performed by a physiotherapist at the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar regions. Values will be recorded in degrees (°), with higher values indicating greater trunk rotational asymmetry.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Health-Related Quality of Life
Health-related quality of life will be evaluated using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
Perceived Cosmetic Deformity
Perceived cosmetic deformity will be assessed using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS).
Time frame: Baseline and Week 12
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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