Australian Community and Health Professionals Perceptions of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Mental health conditions are increasingly prevalent in the Australian population, and despite the large evidence-based support for contemporary treatments, there are barriers which inhibit their efficacy. Thus, there is a perceived need for therapists to consider other therapeutic options which have potential to enhance treatment outcomes. There is increasing acceptance for complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) among general practitioners and clients/general community. Specifically, more than 70% of Australians utilize CAM. Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is an underutilized, culturally sensitive, complementary therapy, which has the potential to mitigate barriers of conventional therapy. The present study aimed to determine the level of knowledge about and general acceptance of EAP as a treatment for general psychopathology symptomology within community members and health professionals. The current sample included 144 community members and 55 health professionals, all with Australian citizenship. Data analysis comprised the independent t-test and two hierarchical multiple regressions. Results indicated that community members are significantly more accepting of EAP as a treatment compared to health professionals. Of the predictors tested, higher social support and openness within community members were significant predictors of accepting perceptions, and rural location was the only significant predictor for health professional’s accepting perceptions of EAP. This is one of the first studies to investigate perceptions of EAP outside the EAP field and through comparison between community members and health professionals. The current study identifies the need for future research to further investigate perceptions of EAP among Australian health professionals.

PSXV-20 Pilot Study: How does horse and rider vital signs respond to participation in an equine assisted psychotherapy and learning outpatient collegiate substance use recovery program?

While research supporting the psychological benefits of equine assisted psychotherapy and learning (EAPL) is expanding, little is known about the physiological impact this therapy has on the human and horse. The physical activity for younger adults may hold promise where other therapies have failed, but can this form of exercise therapy be physically demanding on the participant? Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure physiological responses of horse and human for those participating in an EAPL outpatient collegiate recovery program for substance use disorder (SUD). This pilot study assessed humans (n = 4) and horses (n = 5) participating in a collegiate recovery community EAPL SUD program. The six-week program included riding and ground activities for 1 hr/wk. Vital signs (heart and respiratory rates and pain rating) were recorded weekly at the beginning and end of each session. Human pain rating used the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and equines used the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP). T-tests were performed comparing measurements at the beginning and end of each session (P = 0.05). Pearson Correlations were used to determine relationships between human and horse vital signs. While no changes were seen in human heart rate, a significant decrease in respiratory rates and pain scores was found by the end of the session (Table 1). Horse heart and respiratory rates and EQUUS-FAP scores increased. A moderate correlation was determined for human and horse respiration rates (r=0.65, P = 0.00). Correlations became weaker when evaluating the other vital signs (Heart Rates: r=0.54, P = 0.00; Pain Rating Scores: r=0.27, P = 0.17). While relationships between horse and human vital signs were limited, it is important to note the differences in how the two physiologically respond to EAPL suggesting further research beyond this pilot study may be needed to investigate the physical demand of EAPL on the horse.

Integrated Equine-Assisted Short Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (EASTPP) equals regular STPP and outperforms in overcoming core problems of patients with personality problems: interpersonal sensitivity and self esteem

Introduction: Patients with personality pathology need interventions which include opportunities for intersubjective relations to emerge on both verbal and nonverbal levels. The aim of this study is to investigate if equine-assisted psychotherapy integrated in Short Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy facilitates these nonverbal components and intersubjective relations compared to regular Short Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (STPP)

Psychodynamic Based Equine—Assisted Psychotherapy in Adults with Intertwined Personality Problems and Traumatization: A Systematic Review

The growing field of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a subfield of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), needs theoretically-based clinical studies. This systematic review examines the existing clinical studies in adult populations on psychodynamic psychotherapy combined with equine-assisted psychotherapy. An electronic database search was divided in two studies to identify publications on 1) EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy and 2) EAP combined to personality problems and traumatization in order to compile studies by population, intervention, outcome and therapeutic assets. Study 1 revealed no relevant clinical studies on EAP with a psychodynamic background with an adult population. Study 2 revealed 12 publications to review predominantly addressing veterans with PTSD. The methodological limitations of most of the studies restrain the overall findings on outcome. However, overall positive effects for EAP, specifically on its experiential features and on finding interpersonal trust for patients, can be discerned. There is an apparent need for clinical studies meeting methodological standards on psychodynamic underpinned EAP methodologies in adults with intertwined personality problems and traumatization.

Examining prisoner experience of an equine assisted psychotherapy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine prisoner experience of an equine assisted psychotherapy (EAP). This paper explores the use of therapeutic interventions; specifically focussing on EAP, within this paper EAP constitutes the use of horses in therapy and involves a team approach from equine and mental health experts. Design/methodology/approach This paper took a qualitative approach; due to the exploratory nature of this study a phenomenological approach was adopted. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was deemed appropriate; the intervention took place in an adult, male, open condition prison in England (Category D) however participants who engaged in the equine intervention were from both the open prison and a nearby closed Category C prison. The equine intervention was delivered by qualified therapists who worked to help improve emotional regulation among participants with a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Findings The findings within this paper identify a strong correlation between EAP and positive experiences expressed by participants. Alternative approaches such as animal assisted therapies are worthy of consideration when attempting to support the rehabilitation and treatment needs of incarcerated clients. Participants achieved a number of goals and their confidence improved as they felt a sense of achievement. Research limitations/implications This paper demonstrates the complexities of therapeutic interventions. Research relating to EAP in the UK is few and far between, consequently understanding is limited. This paper seeks to offer an insight into this topic and build upon this research in the future. Practical implications Access to prison for research purposes is challenging. Due to the nature of this study and the resources required sometimes EAP therapy cannot be implemented in or near many prisons in England and Wales. Therefore gaining access to this prison and exploring the data is the first phase of further research in this area. Social implications Researching the way individuals experience therapeutic interventions is a “growing phenomenon”. This paper aimed to explore EAP interventions, however due to the sample size it was imperative that the role of EAP was not misrepresented. Therefore this papers intention is to raise awareness of EAP interventions and therapeutic interventions in prisons in England and Wales. Originality/value To the authors knowledge no previous study has examined such an intervention using this method and as such the findings of this evaluation are important. Moreover this paper enhances and develops our knowledge about how best to support and treat people with histories of substance use and/or mental health problems and anxiety while in prison, and the vital role such therapies may play.