Equine-assisted therapy for anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms

Journal of Traumatic Stress
Julie L EarlesJeanne P Yetz

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 f...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 19, 2016·Physiology & Behavior·Ramona CabidduEliane Maria Carvalho
Mar 17, 2016·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Gi Jung HyunDoug Hyun Han
May 3, 2016·Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services·Gennifer Furst
Mar 15, 2018·Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services·Patricia VoelpelLouise Abitbol
Apr 27, 2018·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Kyoung Doo KangDoug Hyun Han
Jul 15, 2015·Current Opinion in Psychiatry·Robert L Matchock
Jun 27, 2020·Health Communication·Leanne O Nieforth, Elizabeth A Craig
Aug 9, 2020·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Géza KovácsMarie-Jose Enders-Slegers
Jun 27, 2019·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine : Research on Paradigm, Practice, and Policy·Tom XiaStuart Eisendrath
Sep 21, 2018·Frontiers in Psychology·Johanna Lass-HennemannTanja Michael
Jun 17, 2021·Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·Betsy KemenyCourtney Gramlich

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