An open trial of equine-assisted therapy for children exposed to problematic parental substance use

Tsantefski, Menka; Briggs, Lynne; Griffiths, Jessica; Tidyman, Anne

doi:10.1111/hsc.12427

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 40 publications

(101 reference statements)

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“…Participants of these programs have reported reduced anxiety and depression symptoms [ 22 , 29 , 32 , 33 ] reduced PTSD symptoms [ 34 , 35 ], elevated self-esteem and self-awareness [ 30 ], improved communication and trust [ 31 , 34 ], and increased overall well-being [ 23 ]. However, the majority of this research has focused on children and adolescents [ 24 , 31 , 32 ] with limited peer-reviewed studies investigating the utility of equine-assisted therapy for military veterans [ 25 , 27 , 33 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of an equine-assisted therapy program for veterans who identify as ‘wounded, injured or ill’ and their partners

2018

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The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of an equine-assisted therapy program for Defence Force veterans and their partners across the psychological domains of depression, anxiety, stress, posttraumatic stress, happiness, and quality of life, as well as compare the outcomes of an Individual and Couples program. A non-controlled, within-subjects longitudinal design was utilized with assessment at three time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three months follow-up). Between-subjects analysis with two groups was also conducted to compare the outcomes of the Individual and Couples programs. Participants were recruited from ten programs in 2016 with a total of 47 veterans and partners from both an Individual program (n = 25; veterans only) and a Couples program (n = 22). Outcome measures included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form. Paired samples t-tests revealed that within both the Individual and Couples programs, there were significantly fewer psychological symptoms and significantly greater levels of happiness and quality of life at post-intervention compared to pre-intervention. Reduced psychological symptoms were maintained at the three months follow-up for participants of the Couples program only. Independent samples t-tests revealed participants in the Couples program reported significantly less symptoms of depression, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at follow-up compared to participants in the Individual program. These results indicate there may only be meaningful benefits for equine-assisted therapy in the reduction of depression, stress, and PTSD symptoms for veterans, if partners are integrated into the intervention.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of an equine-assisted therapy program for veterans who identify as ‘wounded, injured or ill’ and their partners

2018

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“…EAT is used in combination with psychological settings. The primary target group of this specific intervention are children and adolescents who have a holistic need for therapy [3,4]. Case studies with adults discussed in the literature are predominantly EAT for the treatment of a diagnosed disorder, whereas preventive approaches receive little attention [5].…”

Section: Equine-assisted Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Equine-assisted biographical work (EABW) with individuals in the second half of life: study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Schmidt

Wartenberg-Demand²,

Forstmeier

2020

Trials

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Background Equine-assisted therapy is more often practiced with children and adolescents than with the elderly, although individuals in the second half of life could also profit from it. This group, from the age of 50, is characterised by increasing emotional, social, health-related and cognitive changes; a critical life event, such as a neurological illness or loss of a family member, can increase the likelihood of subclinical depression. Individuals who exhibit depressive symptoms not necessarily diagnosed with a major depression may suffer from relevant losses of quality of life (e.g. sleep disorders, memory disorders, feelings of guilt, hopelessness). Despite the fact that the various healthcare systems are in general more frequently used, such individuals often do not receive adequate therapy. The processing of one’s biography (reminiscence) is an elementary component of most psychotherapy approaches and has been demonstrated to treat and prevent the development of major depression. In this study, equine-assisted biographical work (EABW), a combination of equine-assisted therapy and biographical work, will be applied with individuals with subclinical depression in the second half of their life. Methods This is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled and open phase III study in enrolling participants with subclinical depression. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether a preventive, equine-assisted, age-specific treatment combining elements of equine-assisted intervention with those of biographical work offers better treatment potentials in comparison to a control group with no intervention. Study participants in the intervention group will receive weekly equine-assisted biographical work over a period of 8 weeks. The primary endpoint is the change in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) in a pre-post comparison. Secondary endpoints include other health-related questionnaires including quality of life, reminiscence functions and anxiety. Discussion The present study is the first randomised study examining the efficacy of biographical work with a horse and has the potential to establish an empirically based treatment for individuals in the second half of life and improving the symptoms of subclinical depression. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017010. Registered on 01 April 2019

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“…Parents of children (n = 41) and school teachers (n = 31) completed the Force and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ) before and after the intervention. The parents reported that after the 12week EAT programme the problems with children's behaviour, emotional problems, hyperactivity and peer problems decreased, while the pro-social behaviour of the children improved (Tsantefski et al, 2017).…”

Section: Schizophreniamentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Equine Assisted Activities or Therapies in relation to mental illness and mental disorders - a review

Bator

Jańczyk

Samek

et al. 2020

J Educ Health Sport

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Introduction and purpose: the Terminology Guidelines of the American Hippotherapy Association defines Equine Assisted Activities or Therapies (EAA/T) as a collection of different forms of contact between man and horse. EAA/T have become increasingly common interventions in the last decade, demonstrating therapeutic benefits in various areas of mental health. The aim of this report is to identify the forms and programmes of EAA/T that are used and to summarise and assess the latest available evidences of their clinical effectiveness in the treatment of symptoms of mental illness and disorders such as autism spectrum disorders,

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An open trial of equine-assisted therapy for children exposed to problematic parental substance use

Cited by 14 publications

References 40 publications

Evaluation of an equine-assisted therapy program for veterans who identify as ‘wounded, injured or ill’ and their partners

Evaluation of an equine-assisted therapy program for veterans who identify as ‘wounded, injured or ill’ and their partners

Equine-assisted biographical work (EABW) with individuals in the second half of life: study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Effectiveness of Equine Assisted Activities or Therapies in relation to mental illness and mental disorders - a review

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