Design of Virtual Reality-Based Hippotherapy Simulator Exergaming Software and Its Controller for Rehabilitation of Children with Cerebral Palsy in Indonesia: An Engineering Concept

Horse riding exercise, also known as hippotherapy is a popular treatment for children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, the need trained therapist, massive land use, and expensive maintenance of horse ranch makes not affordable or even available most patients in Indonesia. This problem motivates us to consider mechanical simulator machines replace actual hippotherapy. are easily bored when asked do monotonous activities an extended period. The room setting does give patient visual inputs that usually help real-horse activities. To solve this problem, we designed exercise game (exergaming) software which named Sirkus Apel, providing fun while doing therapy. We design inertial sensor-based controller lets control in-game by their back movements, benefits CP patients. make input enjoyable user considering user’s safety, built convex mirror-based dome virtual reality provide immersive 3-D experience. then project content experience making it if they real inside game.