Equine-Assisted Therapy for Anxiety and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

We tested the efficacy of the Equine Partnering Naturally((c)) 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((c)) 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 follow-up. Resumen Examinamos la eficacia del Programa de Asociacion Natural Equina (c) (Equine Partnering Narutrally (c)), una aproximacion a la terapia con apoyo Equino para tratar sintomas de ansiedad y de Trastorno por Estres Postraumatico (TEPT). Los participantes fueron 16 voluntarios que experimentaron el criterio A de Evento Traumatico tales como violacion o accidente grave y que presentaban sintomas de TEPT, sobre 31 puntos en la lista de chequeo para TEPT (PCL-S, Weathers at al, 1993). Los participantes se involucraron en tareas con caballos en sesiones de 2 horas semanales por 6 semanas. Inmediatamente despues de la ultima sesion del Programa de Asociacion Natural Equina (c), los participantes reportaron una reduccion significativa de sintomas de TEPT, d = 1.21, respuesta emocional menos severa al trauma, d = 0,60, menos ansiedad generalizada, d = 1.01, y menos sintomas depresivos, d = 0,54. Inmediatamente despues a la terapia con apoyo equino, los participantes incrementaron significativamente sus estrategias de Conciencia Plena (Mindfulness), d = 1.28, y redujeron el uso de alcohol, d = 1.58. No hubo efectos significativos del tratamiento sobre la salud fisica, afrontamiento proactivos, autoeficacia, soporte social, o en la satisfaccion de vida. Asi, encontramos evidencia que la aproximacion del Programa de Asociacion Natural Equina (c) a la terapia con apoyo equino puede ser un tratamiento efectivo para tratar sintomas ansiosos y de estres post-traumatico. Investigaciones futuras deberian incluir grupos mas grandes y mediciones de seguimiento de largo plazo. Traditional and Simplified Chinese Abstracts by AsianSTSS ??: ???????????????????? ??: ????Equine Partnering Naturally (c)???????????????????(PTSD)???????????16??????,???????????????????,???PTSD???(PCL-S; Weathers et al., 1993)????31?PTSD??????????,???????????????????Equine Partnering Naturally (c)???????,??????????????????(d = 1.21)?????????????(d = 0.60)?????????(d = 1.01)?????????(d = 0.54)???????????,??????????????(d = 1.28),?????????(d = 0.58)????????????????????????????????,?????????,????????Equine Partnering Naturally (c)????????????????????????????????????????????????? ??: ???????????????????? ??: ????Equine Partnering Naturally (c)???????????????????(PTSD)????????????16??????,??????????????????,???PTSD???(PCL-S; Weathers et al., 1993)????31?PTSD??????????,???????????????????Equine Partnering Naturally (c)???????,??????????????????(d = 1.21)?????????????(d = 0.60)?????????(d = 1.01)?????????(d = 0.54)???????????,??????????????(d = 1.28),?????????(d = 0.58)????????????????????????????????,?????????,????????Equine Partnering Naturally (c)?????????????????????????????????????????????????