As per the study outcomes of a randomized trial issued in the ‘Annals of Medicine’, exercises based on newly created systems called hippotherapy simulators (HS) had a profoundly positive impact on ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, particularly in the realms of disease activity, quality of life, and muscle strength.

In the quest to find a safe and sustainable exercise plan for people with AS, the researchers Ender Salbaş and Ali Yavuz Karahan performed a randomized clinical trial to find the effectiveness of a cutting-edge therapy involving HS, which replicates the natural movements of a live horse.

In this prospective, assessor-blinded, block-randomized trial, a total of 48 AS patients were carefully selected and randomly assigned to one of two groups: those receiving HS therapy and those undergoing conventional home (CH) exercise therapy.

Over 12 consecutive weeks, all participants engaged in a rigorous regimen, attending 48 sessions (four weekly sessions). The quadriceps muscle strength, Bath indices for AS, and the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale (ASQoL) were deemed as the main outcome measures. Both groups exhibited substantial improvements - Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), ASQoL, and muscle strength scores all illustrated momentous enhancements in comparison with baseline measurements (p < 0.05).

However, the HS group stood out, showing even more remarkable progress. At the 12-week mark, BASDAI, BASFI, and BASMI scores dropped considerably more in the HS group than in the other group. Also, there was no substantial variation between the groups concerning ASQoL and muscle strength scores during this time. The innovative use of HS represents a promising avenue in the ongoing battle against AS, providing newfound hope and therapeutic potential for those affected by this challenging condition and leading a sedentary lifestyle.