Equine-Facilitated Therapy and Trauma: Current Knowledge, Future Needs

Staudt, Marlys; Cherry, Donna J.

doi:10.18060/21292

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Qualitative studies highlight a number of beneficial effects of EAS for individuals in treatment for and/or diagnosed with SUDs. Qualitative findings are consistent with those of other studies investigating EAS as adjunctive therapies for populations with mental health disorders or trauma, where EAS participants have similarly reported decreases in negative psychosocial symptoms and forming bonds with their horses [ 11 , 14 , 16 , 35 ]. Yet, there are several limitations to consider regarding the applicability of these results.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Equine-assisted services for individuals with substance use disorders: a scoping review

Diaz

Gormley

Coleman

et al. 2022

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy

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The implementation of equine-assisted services (EAS) during treatment for psychological disorders has been frequently documented; however, little is known about the effect of EAS on outcomes for populations with substance use disorder (SUD). The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize existing literature reporting the effects of EAS when incorporated into SUD treatment. This review followed guidelines in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist for scoping reviews. A search of four databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Academic OneFile) identified studies reporting quantitative and/or qualitative data for an EAS intervention that was implemented among a population receiving treatment for and/or diagnosed with SUD. Of 188 titles, 71 underwent full-text assessment and six met inclusion criteria. Three additional articles were identified through other sources. Quantitative data suggested a potential positive effect of EAS on SUD treatment retention and completion as well as participants’ mental health; however, studies were limited by small sample sizes. Qualitative data indicated that in addition to participants developing bonds with the horses and perceiving EAS as welcomed breaks from traditional treatment, they experienced increased self-efficacy, positive emotional affect, and SUD treatment motivation. Due to methodological limitations and an overall dearth of available studies, the effectiveness of EAS as adjuncts to SUD treatment is inconclusive. Additional research is necessary before supporting broad implementation of EAS as adjuncts to SUD treatment.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Equine-assisted services for individuals with substance use disorders: a scoping review

Diaz

Gormley

Coleman

et al. 2022

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Alternative treatment programs such as equine-facilitated programs have emerged to assist veterans and RCMP members in handling their challenges with OSIs. In particular, there have been a few systematic reviews of the scientific literature on the efficacy of equine-assisted interventions (Germain et al, 2018;Kendall et al, 2015;Kinney et al, 2019;Nimer & Lundahl, 2007;Selby & Smith-Osborne, 2013;Staudt & Cherry, 2017). Germain et al (2018) concluded in their systematic review of eight quantitative studies that animal-assisted therapy is "an efficacious treatment for trauma" (p. 141).…”

Section: Review Of the Literature On Equine-assisted Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The authors found that equine-assisted interventions hold promise for children and youth with a variety of health conditions, but again, no studies in their review included veteran samples. Staudt and Cherry (2017) reviewed nine equine-facilitated therapy studies-four studies with children with neurophysiological conditions and five studies with adults, one of which included combat veterans. The authors stated that from pre-treatment to 12-week follow-up, PTSD symptoms decreased dramatically.…”

Section: Review Of the Literature On Equine-assisted Interventionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Equine Programs for Military Veterans and RCMP Officers with Occupational Stress Injuries: A Qualitative Analysis

Buchanan

Haney

Grimes

2021

CJCP

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Alternative approaches to mental health and support programming for military veterans and for officers of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) with occupational stress injuries have recently received attention in the field of post-traumatic stress. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experiences of military veterans and actively serving RCMP officers with occupational stress injuries who participated in an exploratory study using an equine-assisted learning program. Using a focus group research design, 20 veterans and five RCMP officers were interviewed about their experiences in a 4-week equine-assisted learning program. A thematic content analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) method, revealed five main themes: (1) appreciation for the value of learning new skills, (2) connection with the horse in terms of the human–animal bond, (3) self-regulation and learning to “speak horse,” (4) sense of accomplishment and competence, and (5) transferable skills to everyday life. The qualitative findings of this study provide support for the use of equine-assisted learning programming with military veterans and RCMP members and demonstrate potential as an alternative therapeutic intervention for occupational stress injuries in these populations.

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“…Using horses as an adjunct to traditional talk therapy and mental health treatment for a wide variety of mental health symptoms is gaining popularity, but there are still many components of this practice that are not well understood. Effectiveness studies of Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) have indicated mixed results (Anestis et al, 2014; Lentini & Knox, 2015; Selby & Smith-Osborne, 2013; Staudt & Cherry, 2017). While research has attempted to quantify outcomes of EFP with military veterans (Ferruolo, 2016; Johnson et al, 2018) and women sexual trauma survivors (Earles et al, 2015), few studies have explored clients’ perceived benefits of these interventions.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual assault survivors’ experiences and perceptions of equine facilitated therapeutic activities.

Jensen¹,

Rostosky²

2021

Practice Innovations

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Current literature suggests equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) may be an effective intervention in reducing trauma-related symptoms. Little is known, however, about clients' perceptions of the benefits of working with a horse as a dynamic member of the therapeutic team. We gathered focus group data for the purpose of systematically exploring the perceived benefits experienced by 12 women who participated in the Equine Assisted Survivors of Trauma (EAST) group for sexual assault survivors. Findings from a thematic analysis of data (Braun & Clarke, 2006) indicated that participants experienced the equine therapeutic environment as restorative. They also described benefits of working with the horses that included positive emotional experiences, increased insight and awareness, and improved relationship skills. These findings suggest specific elements of EFP that may be particularly useful and impactful for trauma survivors and deserving of further research. Clinical Impact StatementWomen in a group for sexual trauma survivors described multiple benefits from participating in equine-assisted therapeutic activities. Working with their horses provided an opportunity to be in a restorative setting while practicing important coping and relationship skills that they could transfer to their daily lives.

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Equine-Facilitated Therapy and Trauma: Current Knowledge, Future Needs

Cited by 10 publications

References 15 publications

Equine-assisted services for individuals with substance use disorders: a scoping review

Equine-assisted services for individuals with substance use disorders: a scoping review

Equine Programs for Military Veterans and RCMP Officers with Occupational Stress Injuries: A Qualitative Analysis

Sexual assault survivors’ experiences and perceptions of equine facilitated therapeutic activities.

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