scholarly journals Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3527
Author(s):  
María Dolores Ayala ◽  
Andrea Carrillo ◽  
Pilar Iniesta ◽  
Pedro Ferrer
Keyword(s):  
Life Quality ◽  
Saturation Temperature ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Patient Interaction ◽  
Equine Assisted Therapy ◽  
Behavioral Parameters ◽  
External Stimuli ◽  
Equine Assisted ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Different welfare indicators were studied in three patients with psychomotor alterations and in two horses throughout 9–10 equine assisted therapy sessions in each patient. In horses, heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, temperature and behavioral signs were studied. In patients, heart rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, sleep quality, psychomotor and emotional parameters were analyzed. Data collection was recorded in the anticipatory phase (15 min before the start of the session), two interaction phases (after 30 min of horse-patient interaction on the ground and on horseback, respectively) and the recovery phase (15 min after the end of the session). During the anticipatory phase, most of physiological parameters of patients and horses and the stress behavioral signs of horses increased, followed by a relaxing phase during the horse-patient interaction on the ground. In horse-patient riding phase the heart and respiratory rates of the horses again increased. These results showed that the horses did not seem to suffer stress attributable to the therapy sessions, but only an increase in their parameters associated with activity and external stimuli. The patients improved their gross and fine motor skills, their cognitive and perceptual-sensitive parameters and it led to an improvement in the life quality of their families.

scholarly journals Correlation of Human and Horse Heart Rates During Equine-Assisted Therapy Sessions with At-Risk Youths: A Pilot Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 22-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Macy Drinkhouse ◽  
Sheri SW Birmingham ◽  
Robyn Fillman ◽  
Holly Jedlicka
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Human Heart ◽  
Heart Rates ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Equine Assisted Therapy ◽  
Controlled Environments ◽  
External Stimuli ◽  
Rate Correlation ◽  
Equine Assisted ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Minimal research has been done to examine the cause of the positive results of animal-assisted therapy.  This study examines the correlation between horse and human heart rate, an involuntary stress response, which may allow the mechanisms of potential therapeutic benefits to be further understood. Horse and human heart rates were recorded during equine-assisted therapy sessions, compared, and the significance of human/horse heart rate correlation was documented. Results indicate that each incidence of correlating changes in the heart rates appeared to be the result of external stimuli. Findings are discussed and recommendations for future trials with controlled environments are made.

Effects of equine-assisted therapy on the functionality of individuals with disabilities: systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Prieto ◽  
Kênnea Martins almeida Ayupe ◽  
Latife Nemetala Gomes ◽  
Ana Cristina Saúde ◽  
Paulo Gutierres Filho
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Equine Assisted Therapy ◽  
Equine Assisted

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

Trials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Schmidt ◽  
Andrea Wartenberg-Demand ◽  
Simon Forstmeier
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Major Depression ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Equine Assisted Therapy ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Equine Assisted ◽  
Subclinical Depression

Abstract 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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