Abstract
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 η<sup>2</sup> = .070, which suggests a medium-small effect size, as well as for the FACIT-Sp, F(1, 43) = .368, p = .547, partial η<sup>2</sup> = .008, which suggests a small effect size. However, paired samples <em>t</em>-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.
Highlights
In the United States (U.S.) it is currently estimated there are almost 20 million veterans including nearly 4 million post9/11 veterans (U.S Department of Veteran Affairs [Veterans Affairs (VA)], 2018d)
Similar to the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist—Military Version (PCL-M) measure, the FACIT-Sp results for the intervention group was 32.73 ± 1.71 and for control group, the output was 31.31 ± 1.57
Overall, no conclusion regarding efficacy of Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) can be made as there was no statistical significance achieved using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model
Summary
In the United States (U.S.) it is currently estimated there are almost 20 million veterans including nearly 4 million post9/11 veterans (U.S Department of Veteran Affairs [VA], 2018d) In this group of post-9/11 veterans more than 30% report having a service-related disorder or disability (VA, 2018a). According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5) this diverse array of psychological and physiological reactions to traumatizing events or distressing experiences is classified under the label of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013). While PTSD only entered the diagnostic nomenclature in the APA’s (1980) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed.; DSM-III) in relation to increased levels of psychological distress faced by war veterans (Pai et al, 2017), the study of PTSD dates back more than 100 years (Sher et al, 2012). The symptom severity among veterans with subsyndromal or full PTSD has continued to rise, with many veterans reporting significant symptomology many years after initial onset (Sharpless & Barber, 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
