Effect of Hippotherapy and Schroth Exercise on Pulmonary Function and Aerobic Capacity in Idiopathic Scoliosis

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic scoliosis has been identified as a common spinal malalignment that negatively impacts the respiratory system and physical conditioning in adolescents. Hippotherapy is an equestrian intervention that optimizes physical performance and mobility in a bunch of contexts; however, its influence on pulmonary function remains unclear. AIM: This research aimed to analyze the impact of ten weeks of hippotherapy combined with Schroth exercises on ventilatory function and aerobic capacity in AIS. DESIGN: Randomized Controlled Trial SETTING: Outpatients attend a single center that includes a rehabilitation room and recreational riding center. POPULATION: Forty-five patients were arbitrarily recruited to the experimental (N= 22) and control group (N=23). METHODS: Patients in the experimental group received 30 minutes of walking and sitting trot training, 15 sessions split into 2 phases over ten weeks. The two groups attended a 60-minute session of Schroth's intervention, 3 times/ week for 10 weeks. Two-way ANOVA for between-group comparisons and independent t-test for within-group comparisons were used in the statistical analysis.