Scoliosis Idiopathic AdolescentNCT07758712
Effectiveness of a Horse Riding Simulator in Adolescents With Idiopathic Scoliosis
A study testing Horse Riding Simulator and Core Stabilization Exercises in people with Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent and Core Stabilization Exercise, run by Bezmialem Vakif University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity associated with impaired respiratory muscle strength, balance, postural control, body image, and health-related quality of life. Core stabilization exercises are widely used in the conservative management of AIS. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 10 to 19 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent, Core Stabilization Exercise, Horseback Riding
- What is being tested?
- Horse Riding Simulator and Core Stabilization Exercises
- Type of treatment
- Medical device, Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 Aug 2026to 10 Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 10 to 19 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
- Age between 10 and 19 years
- Cobb angle between 10° and 40°, measured on standing spinal radiographs
- Willingness of the participant and, when applicable, the parent or legal guardian to participate in the study
Who cannot join
- Scoliosis of a non-idiopathic etiology
- History of surgery within the previous 3 months
- Presence of an orthopedic, neurological, or systemic condition that may prevent participation in the exercise program
- Cognitive, communication, or behavioral disorders that may interfere with understanding instructions, answering questions, or performing the exercises
- Participation in regular exercise on 3 or more days per week
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Bezmialem Vakıf University
Istanbul
Sefa Yıldırım, +905395984870, syildirim@bezmialem.edu.tr
About this study
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity associated with impaired respiratory muscle strength, balance, postural control, body image, and health-related quality of life. Core stabilization exercises are widely used in the conservative management of AIS. Horse riding simulator training reproduces the multidirectional rhythmic movements of horseback riding while eliminating the potential risks associated with conventional hippotherapy and may provide additional benefits for postural control and trunk muscle activation.
The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to investigate the effects of adding horse riding simulator training to a core stabilization exercise program on respiratory muscle strength, balance, health-related quality of life, and perceived cosmetic deformity in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving horse riding simulator training combined with core stabilization exercises or a control group receiving core stabilization exercises alone. Outcomes will be assessed before and after the 12-week intervention.
- Conditions
- Scoliosis Idiopathic Adolescent, Core Stabilization Exercise, Horseback Riding, Postural Balance
- Being tested
- Horse Riding Simulator, Core Stabilization Exercises
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Horse Riding SimulatorDevice
Participants will receive 30-minute horse riding simulator training twice weekly for 12 weeks in addition to supervised core stabilization exercises. Each session consists of 5 minutes of warm-up at low speed, 20 minutes of training at the highest speed tolerated by the participant, and 5 minutes of cool-down at low speed.
Core Stabilization ExercisesBehavioural
Participants will perform supervised 60-minute core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 12 weeks. Home-based core stabilization exercises will be prescribed for the remaining days of the week.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Horse Riding Simulator + Core Stabilization | Experimental | Participants will receive supervised 60-minute core stabilization exercises combined with 30-minute horse riding simulator training twice weekly for 12 weeks. Home-based core stabilization exercises will be performed on the remaining days of the week. Receives: Device: Horse Riding Simulator; Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercises |
| Core Stabilization | Active comparator | Participants will receive supervised 60-minute core stabilization exercises twice weekly for 12 weeks. Home-based core stabilization exercises will be performed on the remaining days of the week. Receives: Behavioral: Core Stabilization Exercises |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Balance
Balance will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Respiratory Muscle Strength
Respiratory muscle strength will be assessed by measuring maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) using a portable mouth pressure device.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Cobb Angle
The Cobb angle will be measured on standing spinal radiographs as the angle formed by the intersection of lines drawn perpendicular to the endplates of the upper and lower end vertebrae of the spinal curvature. Measurements will be recorded in degrees (°), with higher values indicating greater spinal curvature severity.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Angle of Trunk Rotation
The angle of trunk rotation will be measured using a Bunnell scoliometer during the Adam's forward bending test. Measurements will be performed by a physiotherapist at the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar regions. Values will be recorded in degrees (°), with higher values indicating greater trunk rotational asymmetry.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Secondary outcomes (2)
Health-Related Quality of Life
Health-related quality of life will be evaluated using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) questionnaire.
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Perceived Cosmetic Deformity
Perceived cosmetic deformity will be assessed using the Walter Reed Visual Assessment Scale (WRVAS).
Measured: Baseline and Week 12
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted11 Aug 2026
- Study start5 Aug 2026
- Primary completion10 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion10 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Scoliosis Idiopathic AdolescentStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bezmialem Vakif University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07758712
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BVUsyildirim04
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 6 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 22 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No