Dementia care partners’ reported outcomes after adaptive riding: a theoretical thematic analysis

Abstract

Purpose This case study aims to explore the appropriateness of an adaptive riding program for persons living with dementia through examining family members’ (care partners) reported outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Using convenience sampling, persons living with dementia and their care partners were recruited in Northern Colorado; after meeting inclusion criteria, they were invited to participate in the adaptive riding program. The program occurred for weekly, hour-long sessions for eight weeks. Field notes were collected during each session, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with five care partners after the program and analyzed by using theoretical thematic analysis. Findings Care partners found the adaptive riding program appropriate. Reported outcomes comprised three themes: well-being, meaning through social connections and function in daily life and aligned with the positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment (PERMA) theory of well-being. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the appropriateness of an adaptive riding program for persons living with dementia and their care partners who broadened understandings of the emotional, social and physical benefits. Findings support the inclusion of care partners in adaptive riding and may inform health-care providers’ recommendations for such programs.

Equine-assisted services for people living with dementia: a systematic review

“…1 . The six publications are underpinned by the following intervention types: two equine assisted therapy interventions [ 26 , 27 ], one equine-assisted activities program intervention [ 28 , 29 ], and one adaptive riding intervention [ 30 , 31 ]. Of these six publications, two relate to the same study [ 28 , 29 ].…”

“…The results of the methodological quality assessment of the included publications are reported in Table 1 . Four publications were of medium to high quality [ 26 – 28 , 31 ] and two were high quality [ 29 , 30 ].…”

“…All the included studies were published between 2018 and 2022, except for one study which was published in 2014 [ 27 ]. In relation to study design, four were quantitative [ 26 – 28 , 31 ] and two were qualitative [ 29 , 30 ]. Borges de Araujo et al [ 26 ] utilized a quasi-experimental, uncontrolled pre-post design, whilst Fields et al published quantitative [ 28 ] and qualitative [ 29 ] data from a mixed-methods case-study.…”

“…Borges de Araujo et al [ 26 ] utilized a quasi-experimental, uncontrolled pre-post design, whilst Fields et al published quantitative [ 28 ] and qualitative [ 29 ] data from a mixed-methods case-study. The remaining studies utilised a randomised pre-post crossover study [ 27 ], a descriptive case study [ 31 ], and a qualitative case study design [ 30 ]. Sample sizes were small and ranged from 5 participants [ 29 , 30 ] to 16 participants [ 27 ].…”

“…The remaining studies utilised a randomised pre-post crossover study [ 27 ], a descriptive case study [ 31 ], and a qualitative case study design [ 30 ]. Sample sizes were small and ranged from 5 participants [ 29 , 30 ] to 16 participants [ 27 ]. Non-random convenience sampling was used for all studies.…”