Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, causing pain, stiffness and limitations in activities of daily living, with decreased quality of life.~To improve musculoskeletal and functional health, the World Health Organization recommends physical activity, including aerobic physical activity, to improve strength, flexibility and balance. Non-pharmacological recommendations include physical conditioning, which can be provided through Therapeutic Riding. Advances and research in the area of Equine Assisted Interventions (Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding) have led to a progressive move away from empirical observation to scientific evidence. This is why it is necessary to develop scientific studies that contribute to scientific evidence. This has motivated an international group of experts to design and develop an international clinical trial to collect data on therapeutic horse riding in a group of adults with arthritis. Starting with a pilot project, which is the one presented here.~The established hypothesis is that people diagnosed with arthritis who follow a standardised Therapeutic Riding treatment, as an experimental group, improve their state of health in relation to those who follow a protocolised physical exercise table.~Main objectives: To evaluate the possible changes in the state of health of individuals diagnosed with arthritis who follow a standardised Therapeutic Riding treatment, as an experimental group, versus patients who follow a standardised physical exercise programme and to analyse the effectiveness of the Therapeutic Riding treatment in patients diagnosed with arthritis in terms of pain, joint mobility, static and dynamic balance, gait, capacity for effort and quality of sleep. Furthermore, the aim is to monitor and establish the methodology, protocols and phases in the Therapeutic Riding treatment of patients with a diagnosis of arthritis, as well as to contribute to assessment protocols.~Methodology: In order to achieve the objectives, a double-blind randomised pilot project is proposed in a sample of 10 subjects participating in a therapeutic horse riding programme and 10 subjects participating as a control group in a physical exercise programme. The intervention guidelines for both groups are established in a programme of 12 sessions in total, 6 weeks in duration, twice a week and a duration of 45 minutes each session. All interventions will be carried out by specialist professionals. Pain will be assessed using the EVA scale and questionnaires; joint range in the back, hips, knees and shoulders using goniometry; postural stability using the Romberg test on pressure platforms; gait analysis using inertial sensors during the 10-metre test; capacity for effort using the 2-minute walk test and the use of a smartwatch; and sleep quality using the PittsBurg sleep quality test and MOVOI's TicSleep tool. All assessments are non-invasive.~The project is coordinated by AINISE (International Alliance for Healthy Equine Interaction) and involves an international scientific group led by Dr Íñigo Hernández. It is made up of volunteer expert researchers from 8 countries. Germany, Argentina, Spain, France, Malta, Mexico, Portugal, USA, in which the research group Physioh of the University of Extremadura participates. The project is based on the published trial of Dr. Sharon White Lewis University of Missouri-Kansas City. A Randomized controlled trial comparing equine-assisted therapy and exercise education for adults and older adults with arthritis. And it is currently supported to start the pilot programme by the Norwegian Ann Kern-Godal Foundation.
The aim of this job is to evaluate the possible changes in the state of health of 10 indi-viduals diagnosed with arthritis who follow a standardised Therapeutic Riding treatment, as an experimental group, versus 10 patients who follow a standardised physical exercise programme.~The intervention guidelines for both groups are established in a programme of 12 ses-sions in total, 6 weeks in duration, twice a week and a duration of 45 minutes each ses-sion.~The effectiveness of the intervention program will be evaluated in terms of pain, joint mobility, static and dynamic balance, gait, capacity for effort and quality of sleep.