Effects of horseback riding exercise therapy on background electroencephalograms of elderly people

Implementation of equine-assisted intervention for older adults with Alzheimer's disease residing in a nursing home: Brakes and levers

OBJECTIVE

Although research on equine-assisted intervention (EAI) for older adults is beginning to be published, no scientific study has examined the various elements that can limit or facilitate the implementation of EAI with older adults suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) residing in nursing homes. The aim of this study was to identify the possible brakes and levers of implementing EAI with AD patients. A focus on professional affiliation was conducted.

METHOD

The survey was posted online on 2 February 2021 via the Sphinx software. As this study was aimed at gerontology professionals working in nursing homes, they were contacted through various specialized social networks. A total of 663 people answered the survey.

RESULTS

The results indicate that for 45% of the participants, the main brake to implementing EAI is related to the institutional burden. As for the levers, 29% of the people indicated that it would mainly be beneficial due to the cognitive stimulation that EAI would provide. People who were not familiar with EAI reported more brakes to its implementation. Finally, it was observed that the caregivers were those who put forward the most levers for the implementation of EAI with AD patients living in nursing homes.

CONCLUSION

Thus, this study allows us to understand some of the reasons why nursing homes are reluctant to set up EAI. Communication on this subject is currently a lever to be developed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

By highlighting the brakes and levers on the implementation of EAIs, we are able to identify suitable guidelines for developing this type of intervention in nursing homes, which could be used as a complement to nursing care to help Alzheimer's patients overcome physical or psychological health problems.

Evaluating the efficacy of hippotherapy: a promising intervention in rheumatology, pain medicine, and geriatrics

Using animals for medical care has a long history. Animals have long been recognized for their ability to improve human health and well-being throughout nations and civilizations. Animal-assisted therapy is a concept that incorporates intentional and regulated interactions between individuals and animals to achieve therapeutic aims. Hippotherapy is an animal-assisted therapy consisting of medical procedures and practices that use horses to restore and enhance physical and mental health. The effectiveness of hippotherapy is evidenced by its ability to have a favorable influence on various domains, encompassing physical, psychosocial, and educational aspects. This multifaceted method entails the active involvement of the sensory, musculoskeletal, vestibular, and visual systems. Hippotherapy is an unconventional modality, leveraging horses' cyclic and repetitive motions to activate the postural reflex structures of individuals. Various studies have mostly focused on determining the efficacy of hippotherapy in the context of neurological conditions, neuro-rehabilitation, and psychiatric disorders. The primary objective of this study was to present the effectiveness of hippotherapy in the fields of rheumatology, pain medicine, and geriatrics. In addition, we provided a summary of the potential underlying mechanisms of hippotherapy. Finally, we conducted a comparison of hippotherapy and horse riding simulator interventions to provide their respective strengths and restrictions.

Monitoring of the human body and brain behavior using optical motion capture system and EEG utilizing horseback riding simulator: an extended case study

[Purpose] Hippotherapy is an unusual type of treatment and has been found to be effective for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and rehabilitation. Horseback riding simulator is used as a beneficial alternative to the real horse with utilizing an optical motion capture system and EEG. [Participants and Methods] The idea is to monitor body and brain behaviour of the professional rider and non-professional rider utilizing a horse simulator, using optical motion capture system to identify differences in pelvic region activity between professional and non-professional riders and EEG to investigate the brain effect of professional rider utilizing horseback riding simulator. [Results] For the monitoring body and brain behaviour of the professional rider and non-professional rider, two types of experiment were handled, the first experiment represents body behaviour and the second experiment represents brain behaviour. [Conclusion] The study shows, that inexperienced rider may make mistakes of pelvis movements that leads to the asymmetry in hip external rotation and back region. Also, the study of EEG provides that while horseback riding mostly frontal lobe is active, that refers to concentration, body movements and intelligence. Moreover, temporal and parietal lobes are highlighted that relates to sensor-motor cortex and moving which are needed during riding.

Benefits of Hippotherapy and Horse Riding Simulation Exercise on Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To provide an up-to-date research analysis on equine-assisted therapies and horse riding simulation exercise in older adults, and to suggest future directions in clinical practice and research. TYPE: Systematic review.

LITERATURE SURVEY

A comprehensive search of studies was performed in 4 electronic databases (Cochrane, PubMed, PEDro, and Web of Science) regarding the effects of equine-assisted therapies and horse riding simulation exercise in older adults. Eight articles were selected, 5 of them focused on hippotherapy, 2 on horse riding simulation, and a single article that used the 2 types of therapy.

METHODOLOGY

PRISMA guidelines were followed for the data extraction process.

SYNTHESIS

The studies were all randomized controlled trials, but not double-blind, so they were classified as level of evidence B. Duration of hippotherapy programs ranged from 8-12 weeks. Sessions lasted between 15 and 60 minutes and were performed 2-5 times per week. Interventions using a horse simulator spanned 8 weeks and were conducted for 20 minutes 5 times per week.

CONCLUSIONS

Results indicate that hippotherapy might improve balance, mobility, gait ability, and muscle strength, as well as could induce hormonal and cerebral activity changes in healthy older adults. Benefits of horse riding simulation could be limited to physical fitness and muscular activity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

I.

Effects of horseback riding exercise on the relative alpha power spectrum in the elderly

The present study aimed to identify the effects of horseback riding and mechanical horseback riding exercise on the relative α-power spectrum in the elderly. A total of 31 healthy elderly were randomly divided into horseback riding (n=15) and mechanical horseback riding exercise groups (n=16). The horseback riding exercise program was conducted for 25min twice a week for 12 weeks. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was used to identify the changes in measured variables before the exercise program, and after 6 and 12 weeks of the program. The horseback riding exercise group showed an increase in relative fast alpha power in the background electroencephalogram, and the mechanical horseback riding exercise group showed an increase in relative slow alpha power. Both horseback riding and mechanical horseback riding exercises activated the EEG in all domains, thus increasing concentration and restfulness. The results suggested that horseback riding and mechanical horseback riding exercise may have a positive effect on psychological stability in the elderly.