An Equine-Assisted Therapy for Youth with Mild to Moderate Anxiety: Manual Development and Fidelity

Acri, Mary; Morrissey, Meghan; Peth-Pierce, Robin; Seibel, Lauren; Seag, Dana E M; Hamovitch, Emily K.; Guo, Fei; Horwitz, Sarah M.

doi:10.1007/s10826-021-02011-4

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Through the increase in animal-assisted interaction research, practitioners now have resources to identify some mechanisms of change to facilitate therapeutic gains for youths [ 20 , 21 ]. Equine-assisted services (EAS) are a promising approach to reach populations that may be unable or unwilling to seek out therapies in traditional settings [ 22 , 23 ]. An increasing number of human services now incorporate animals, including equines, within non-traditional settings [ 22 , 23 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Equine-assisted services (EAS) are a promising approach to reach populations that may be unable or unwilling to seek out therapies in traditional settings [ 22 , 23 ]. An increasing number of human services now incorporate animals, including equines, within non-traditional settings [ 22 , 23 ]. EAS is a term that refers to services provided by professionals who incorporate horses and other equines to benefit people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PracticeWise ® provides a virtual warehouse of synthesized research findings from more than 1000 controlled studies of effective psychosocial interventions for youth with mental health disorders, including anxiety. The adaptive riding program, called Reining in Anxiety (RiA), was designed specifically for youth with mild-to-moderate anxiety, with the intention of being delivered in an arena with fidelity by CTRIs, not licensed mental health clinicians [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…RiA was initially tested in a randomized trial in New York City with a sample of youth between 6 and 16 years of age who met criteria for mild-to-moderate anxiety [ 28 ]. Youth who received RiA showed significant improvements in anxiety and self-efficacy over the comparison group, which received standard therapeutic riding [ 22 ]. This paper describes findings from a second study designed to expand upon the initial trial of RiA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reducing Anxiety and Stress among Youth in a CBT-Based Equine-Assisted Adaptive Riding Program

Vincent

Acri

Morrissey

et al. 2022

Animals

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Reining in Anxiety (RiA) is a therapeutic program for youth with mild to moderate anxiety delivered in a therapeutic riding setting by Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors. RiA was developed after a review of the evidence base for youth anxiety, is manualized, and includes five core CBT components: in vivo exposure, cognitive restructuring, youth psychoeducation, relaxation, and caregiver psychoeducation about anxiety. This study extended findings from a prior RCT that examined (1) the feasibility of collecting saliva samples from horses and children to measure stress (cortisol) and relaxation (oxytocin); (2) whether changes in stress and relaxation occurred both during each lesson and over the course of the 10-week intervention for horses and youth; (3) whether changes in anxiety symptoms, emotional regulation, and self-efficacy found in the first trial were comparable; and (4) if fidelity to the program was reliable. Youth participants (n = 39) ages 6–17 with caregiver-identified mild-to-moderate anxiety participated in a ten-week therapeutic intervention (RiA), which combined adaptive riding and components of CBT. Physiological data and self-report measures were taken at weeks one, four, seven, and ten for the youth and horses. Saliva assays assessed cortisol as a physiological marker of stress and anxiety, and oxytocin as a measure of relaxation. Fidelity data were recorded per session. Anxiety, as measured by caregiver self-reporting, significantly decreased from pre- to post-test, while emotional regulation scores increased. No significant changes in self-efficacy from pre- to post-test were observed. Saliva samples obtained from participants before and after riding sessions showed a consistent decrease in cortisol and a significant increase in oxytocin at two of the four timepoints (Week 1 and Week 7), but no overall pre- to post-test changes. Horse saliva data were collected using a modified bit; there were no significant changes in oxytocin or cortisol, suggesting that the horses did not have an increase in stress from the intervention. RiA may be a promising approach for reducing anxiety and stress among youth, as measured both by self-reported and by physiological measures. Collection of salivary assays for both youth and horses is feasible, and the intervention does not increase stress in the horses. Importantly, RiA can be delivered by adaptive/therapeutic horseback riding instructors in naturalistic (e.g., non-clinic-based) settings. As youth anxiety is a growing public health problem, novel interventions, such as RiA, that can be delivered naturalistically may have the potential to reach more youth and thus improve their quality of life. Further research is needed to examine the comparative value of RiA with other animal-assisted interventions and to assess its cost-effectiveness.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Reducing Anxiety and Stress among Youth in a CBT-Based Equine-Assisted Adaptive Riding Program

Vincent

Acri

Morrissey

et al. 2022

Animals

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“…Hypotheses about the psychological benefits of horses ( 30 ) have been published, as well as the effects on cognitive and psychological factors ( 31 ), and post-traumatic stress symptoms ( 32 , 33 ). Finally, EFT treatment for anxiety disorders has been used for adults ( 32 , 34 ) and youth ( 35 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact on physical performance, pain and psychological wellbeing of chronic low back pain patients during 12-weeks of equine- facilitated therapy intervention

et al. 2023

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Equine - Facilitated Therapy (EFT), an equine environment, and horses themselves can meet many physical and mental health needs beyond diagnostic categories. The horse's ability to produce a walk-like movement and the participant's ability to connect to non-judgemental living creatures, both of which can benefit participation and construct a positive self-image for chronic pain patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of EFT on perceived physical performance, level of pain, pain acceptance, depression and anxiety, and quality of life within a 12-week intervention for chronic low back pain (LBP) patients. Twenty-two LBP patients received EFT led by physical therapists as part of the public health services. A mixed method design combining quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to detect the outcome of the intervention. The data were collected via questionnaires, interviews, and patient data repositories. An interview was voluntary for participants and included questions of one's health, visits to the pain clinic during 6 months and an open-ended question about the intervention. The coding of the data was completed independently by two persons using thematizing. The welfare of the attending horses was taken into consideration in basic training and for the research setting. Statistical analysis and paired t-tests detected the changes during a 12-week intervention. The results suggest a significant increase in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) levels of satisfaction with self-selected performances. The Raitasalo's version of Beck's Depression Inventory (RBDI) level of anxiety and Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) did not change, whereas a decline in the amount of perceived RBDI depression was found combined with increased levels of SF-36 Mental Change Scores and COPM satisfaction with performance. Only two of the 22 participants returned with reoccurring symptoms after 6 months to the pain clinic. The participant interviews revealed three important domains of experience during coding: physical-, psychological-, and social that link to the research question and suggest impact for the recovery from the human-animal interaction.

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A Scoping Review of the Influence of Evidence-Based Program Resources (EBPR) Websites for Behavioral Health

Lee-Easton

Magura

Maranda

et al. 2022

Adm Policy Ment Health

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An Equine-Assisted Therapy for Youth with Mild to Moderate Anxiety: Manual Development and Fidelity

Cited by 9 publications

References 25 publications

Reducing Anxiety and Stress among Youth in a CBT-Based Equine-Assisted Adaptive Riding Program

Reducing Anxiety and Stress among Youth in a CBT-Based Equine-Assisted Adaptive Riding Program

The impact on physical performance, pain and psychological wellbeing of chronic low back pain patients during 12-weeks of equine- facilitated therapy intervention

A Scoping Review of the Influence of Evidence-Based Program Resources (EBPR) Websites for Behavioral Health

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