Equine-assisted therapy for anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms.

Abstract

We tested the efficacy of the Equine Partnering Naturally(©) approach to equine-assisted therapy for treating anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Participants were 16 volunteers who had experienced a Criterion A traumatic event, such as a rape or serious accident, and had current PTSD symptoms above 31 on the PTSD Checklist (PCL-S; Weathers, Litz, Herman, Huska, & Keane, ). Participants engaged in tasks with horses for 6 weekly 2-hour sessions. Immediately following the final session, participants reported significantly reduced posttraumatic stress symptoms, d = 1.21, less severe emotional responses to trauma, d = 0.60, less generalized anxiety, d = 1.01, and fewer symptoms of depression, d = 0.54. As well, participants significantly increased mindfulness strategies, d = 1.28, and decreased alcohol use, d = 0.58. There was no significant effect of the treatment on physical health, proactive coping, self-efficacy, social support, or life satisfaction. Thus, we found evidence that the Equine Partnering Naturally(©) approach to equine-assisted therapy may be an effective treatment for anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Future research should include larger groups, random assignment, and longer term follow-up.

• Authors: Julie L Earles, Laura L Vernon, Jeanne P Yetz
• Journal: Journal of traumatic stress (J Trauma Stress) Vol. 28 Issue 2 Pg. 149-52 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1573-6598 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25782709 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Topics

• Adult
• Anxiety (therapy)
• Equine-Assisted Therapy (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mindfulness
• Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic (therapy)