Examining the Feasibility of an Outdoor Therapeutic Horse Carriage As a Perturbation -based Balance Training
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-45
SponsorLoewenstein Hospital
About this trial
The proposed study is a prospective experimental single-arm pre-post study aiming to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of an outdoor therapeutic horse carriage, i.e., the Equine Dynamic Balance (EDB), as a form of reactive balance training. First, the investigators will describe the mechanical parameters of perturbations generated by the EDB's standing platform, including displacement, velocity and acceleration. Second, the investigators will assess the effect of EDB training on balance. Independent healthy young adults who do not suffer from balance impairments willing to participate in the study will be tested before and after EDB training, that will be delivered by standing on a dynamic therapeutic horse carriage pulled by a horse, to explore whether there are differences in balance control and balance reactions as a result of a 2-week EDB intervention program.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Healthy young participants
Adults aged 18-45 years
Measuring between150-190 cm in stature, with a mass of less than 100 kg
No neurological or vestibular or orthopedic mobility impairing conditions, and with no current musculoskeletal injury.
Disqualifiers
blindness or serious vestibular impairments (Meniere's disease, dizziness)
an inability to ambulate independently
symptomatic severe cardiovascular disease
neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's, or Multiple sclerosis
Trial design
Design model
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
Outdoor horse-assisted perturbation training
DeviceThis is balance training in which a special carriage, i.e. a dynamic standing platform, is pulled by a horse on the outside surface, providing the trainee with multi-directional 3D balance perturbations that depend on the topography of the training area (various slopes and surface types), the horse walking speed, and its ability to stop, accelerate, and turns.
Treatment groups
15 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Outdoor horse-assisted perturbation trainingExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Reactive stepping response
the total step path length is the sum of the total distance each foot travelled during perturbation until completing the recovery stepping response. It will be measured in centimeters.
Time frame
change from baseline assessment (pre-test) to end of training program at 2 weeks (post-test).2
Reactive stepping response during a training session
the total step path length is the sum of the total distance each foot travelled during a perturbation until completing the recovery stepping response. It will be measured in centimetres.
Time frame
during a training session, an average of 20 minutes.3
The three-dimensional perturbation displacement
The three-dimensional displacement, in three axes, of the dynamic platform in a balance perturbation. It will be measured in centimetres.
Time frame
during a training session, an average of 20 minutes.4
The three-dimensional perturbation velocity
The three-dimensional velocity, in three axes, of the dynamic platform in a balance perturbation. It will be measured in meter per second (meter/second).
Time frame
during a training session, an average of 20 minutes.Secondary outcomes
1
reactive grasping response
: the total time a participant holds onto the safety handrail for recovering balance by grasping response. It will be measured in percentage, the fraction of the grasping time out of the total round time.
Time frame
change from baseline assessment (pre-test) to end of training program at 2 weeks (post-test).2
reactive grasping response during a training session
the total time a participant holds onto the safety handrail for recovering balance by grasping response. It will be measured in percentage, the fraction of the grasping time out of the total round time.
Time frame
during a training session, an average of 20 minutes.3
total recovery time during a training session
the time from perturbation onset to the end of balance recovery will be measured in milliseconds.
Time frame
during a training session, an average of 20 minutes.4
total recovery time
the time from perturbation onset to the end of balance recovery will be measured in milliseconds.
Time frame
: change from baseline assessment (pre-test) to end of training program at 2 weeks (post-test).Other outcomes
1
satisfaction and subjective effects on balance in daily lives
a 5-point-Likert-scale questionnaire (5=strongly agree): who much the exercise changes their balance in household and outdoor activities, exercise safety, challenging and diverse, customized to their ability, enjoyment, and whether they are interested in continuing the training program.
Time frame
at post-test, end of the 2-week training program.Locations
Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: