The effects of horse riding simulation exercise with blindfolding on healthy subjects' balance and gait.
Hyun Gyu Cha, Byung Joon Lee, Wan Hee Lee
PMID 27942142WHAT IT FOUND
Healthy adults who wore a blindfold during horse-riding simulation had higher post-training static balance, dynamic balance, and cadence scores than adults doing the same simulation without a blindfold.
Both groups improved, so the simulator alone may explain much of the change.
Key findings
01Significant differences in post-training gains in static balance, dynamic balance, and cadence were observed between the groups.
02After training, the blindfolded group had higher static balance, dynamic balance, and cadence scores than the control group.
03Within groups, the blindfolded group significantly improved static balance, dynamic balance, velocity, and cadence, while the control group significantly improved static balance, dynamic balance, single support, and cadence.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study was done only in healthy adults, so it does not show what would happen in patients with balance or walking problems. The intervention period was short, and no long-term follow-up was performed. The authors state that the subjects were not properly controlled after the experiment. Both groups received the horse-riding simulator, so the study cannot separate the simulator effect from the added blindfold effect within the blindfolded group. There was no untreated control group, so the study cannot show what would happen without simulator training.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that blindfolded horse-riding simulation improves balance or gait in patients. The participants were healthy adults, both groups used the simulator, and there was no untreated control group, so the study cannot show that the simulator or the blindfold would help people with walking or balance problems.