Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy for Treating Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Jang, Byongsu; Song, Jaeki; Kim, Jiwon; Kim, Seonwoo; Lee, Ji-Young; Shin, Hye-Yeon; Kwon, Jeong-Yi; Kim, Yun-Hee; Joung, Yoo Sook

doi:10.1089/acm.2015.0067

Cited by 40 publications

(49 citation statements)

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“…A few studies have demonstrated that the interactive experience with the horses enhance the motivation to learn [ 35 ]. Moreover, an earlier study has been published that EAA in ADHD could modulate functional connectivity in the regions related to default mode network and behavioral inhibition system relating with ADHD symptom improvement [ 9 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The participants were assigned with trial ID numbers, created by a researcher not otherwise involved in the study. Prior to the 16-week study program, both groups participated in a pre-comprehensive assessment within 2 weeks, including intelligence, attention and psychological evaluation using Korean-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (K-WISC-IV), Conner’s Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQl), which were used in previous studies to examine therapeutic effects on ADHD or CP children [ 9 , 23 ]. 2-weeks after the program was completed, the post-test assessment, including attention and psychological evaluation was performed.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent and developmentally inappropriate inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity [7]. These symptoms lead to substantial dysfunction in the home, social relationships and academics [8,9]. Further, many children with ADHD show motor disturbances [10] and most of them display clumsy motor performance below the norms for their age [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Earlier studies have adopted EAA in various fields of treatment. It inculcates a sense of self-efficacy in patients with psychiatric disabilities [21], and patients with stress or those who express irritability are more likely to experience a positive effect due to the physiologic response to the rhythmic repetitive movements of the horse [9,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the effectiveness of EAA on attention or psychosocial functioning has been investigated [ 8 , 9 ], studies have yet to evaluate the collective improvement in symptoms. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of EAA on attention in children with CP and their perceived quality of life.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of equine-assisted activities on attention and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy in a randomized trial: examining the comorbidity with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

et al. 2021

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Background Attention problems and decreased quality of life are frequently accompanied in Cerebral Palsy (CP), which can negatively affect rehabilitation of physical disability. However, the majority of affected children remain untreated in the aspects of attention or psychosocial factors. Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) use horse as a therapeutic modality including grooming as well as mounted riding activities in which patients exercise and experience mounted stimulation. It is known to help improve attention in children with ADHD, so that it can be an exercise therapy that is expected to improvement of attention as well as rehabilitating effects in CP patients. EAA may be a promising strategy to address the unmet need for CP patients. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of EAA for children with CP, those with both CP and ADHD and confirm the comorbidity between CP and ADHD. Methods Forty-six children with cerebral palsy participated in this study. For the exercise group, they participated in a 40-min session twice a week for a 16-week period, while the control group engaged in daily life without any special treatments. Each children individually were assessed on attention and psychological wellbeing at baseline and post-treatment. Comorbidity were identified based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 5th edition (DSM-5) and confirmed by Korean Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL). Results Perseveration rated using the Conner’s Performance Test (CPT) showed a significant decrease only in the exercise group (p < .024). However, no significant improvement in children’s quality of life was observed after EAA program compared with control group. Among the total participants, fifteen children (31.91%) were diagnosed with ADHD. When conducting an additional analysis with the subsample of CP patients diagnosed with ADHD, the d’, commission error and perseveration showed a significant decrease only in the exercise group. Children with CP and ADHD reported an improvement in quality of life both in exercise and control group, but only in the exercise group social functioning exhibited a significant difference. Conclusion The positive effects of the EAA on attention and quality of life were confirmed. Children with CP in the exercise group were more capable to sustain their attention longer. Those with CP and ADHD showed an increase in attention and perceived to have better social skills after receiving 16 weeks of EAA compared to those in the control group. Considering high comorbidity of CP and ADHD, it seems that the EAA program could be the better alternative treatment for CP with attentional problem. The results of this study will contribute to growing evidence for the efficacy of EAA in children especially with CP and ADHD. Trial registration This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03870893). Registered 26 July 2017.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of equine-assisted activities on attention and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy in a randomized trial: examining the comorbidity with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

et al. 2021

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Equine‐assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis

White-Lewis

2019

Nursing Open

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AimsA concept analysis was conducted to clarify the attributes, antecedents and meaning of equine‐assisted therapy and present an operational definition.DesignConcept analysis.MethodsWalker and Avant's concept analysis method was used to analyse equine‐assisted therapy, using horses as healers by defining and enumerating the attributes, antecedents, consequences and empirical referents. Example cases are presented.ResultsDefining attributes include the following: a human participant with an equine physically present to assist the human participant, a treatment or intervention as a result of the interactions between an equine and a human participant, a purposeful and regulated interaction and a positive health outcome goal from the interaction. Antecedents include a live horse with a human physically able to interact with the horse, a facilitator and accessibility to an equine‐assisted therapy (EAT) programme. Consequences include improved balance, well‐being, quality of life, trust, spasticity, self‐efficacy, self‐esteem, nurse presence, pleasure and a sense of accomplishment.

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Equine-Assisted Interventions for Psychosocial Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Literature Review

Tan

Simmonds

2018

Rev J Autism Dev Disord

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Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy for Treating Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract: This is the first study demonstrating that EAA/T is effective for improving core ADHD symptoms. On the basis of these results, EAA/T could be a viable treatment strategy as a part of a multimodal therapy for children with ADHD.

Cited by 40 publications

References 42 publications

Effects of equine-assisted activities on attention and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy in a randomized trial: examining the comorbidity with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Effects of equine-assisted activities on attention and quality of life in children with cerebral palsy in a randomized trial: examining the comorbidity with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Equine‐assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis

Equine-Assisted Interventions for Psychosocial Functioning in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Literature Review

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