Investigating the Efficacy of Equine Assisted Therapy for Military Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Symptomology

Bibliographic Data

ID22158268
AuthorsJennifer Nagrath (corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume6
Issue2
Pages1-19
Publication date2020-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Veterans Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2470-4768 • E-ISSN: 2470-4768
PublisherVirginia Tech Libraries (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.21061/jvs.v6i2.187
OpenAlexW3081820757
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited63

A unique approach in trauma-focused psychotherapy is the evolving field of Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT), a nontraditional, experiential methodology centered on the therapeutic benefits intrinsic in equines. While there is a plethora of anecdotal and qualitative studies showing effectiveness, evidence-based studies are limited, and those that exist have design and implementation flaws such as small sample size, no control group, lack of counselor-administered curriculum and/or assessments, leaving large empirical gaps. To address these gaps, a quasi-experimental nonrandomized control group design was implemented for this study. Fifty veterans participated with 25 assigned to each, intervention and control groups. Veterans in the intervention group completed 3-hour weekly EAT sessions for 10 weeks and those in the control group continued with treatment as usual. Standardized psychometric assessments were PTSD Checklist—Military Version (PCL-M) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp). The ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in mean changes for PCL-M, F(1, 43) = 3.255, p = .078, partial η2 = .070, which suggests a medium-small effect size, as well as for the FACIT-Sp, F(1, 43) = .368, p = .547, partial η2 = .008, which suggests a small effect size. However, paired samples t-test showed significant reduction in PTSD symptom scores for intervention group when compared to control group. While no conclusion regarding efficacy can be made, the results may be a useful lens to further examine the potential benefits of incorporating a multidimensional, biopsychosocial-spiritual model which could leverage significant outcomes of holistic health for veterans with PTSD symptomology

Biopsychosocial model · Checklist · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Health, psychology, and well-being · Medicine · Optimism, Hope, and Well-being · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access