Therapeutic Horseback Riding for ACT Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

One form of psychiatric leisure rehabilitation which has only recently been explored for individuals with schizophrenia is Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THBR). This study is the first to examine THBR for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) patients with schizophrenia. A sample of 6 ACT patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who reside in the community and 6 mental health care staff participated in 10 weeks of weekly horseback riding sessions with an experienced THBR instructor. Participating patients, staff and the THBR instructor were qualitatively interviewed at the start, during and at the end of the THBR program and these semi-structured interviews were analyzed for recurrent themes. We found that THBR benefitted this group of patients. In spite of our study's limitations, such as its exploratory nature and the small sample size, it demonstrates that THBR has promise and should be further developed and studied for individuals with schizophrenia.

Effects of Hippotherapy on Well-Being of Patients With Schizophrenia

“…Interaction with horses had a positive impact on the alleviation of aggression and improved interpersonal interaction both during hospitalization of patients with recent in-hospital violent behavior or highly regressed behavior enrolled in this study and few months after release to home care (4). Another study, including patients with schizophrenia, described positive trends in patients' self-esteem, self-confidence and social functioning (5). In addition, Cerino et al (6) reported that a one-year treatment involving therapeutic riding sessions improved negative symptoms, caused disease remission and reduced rate of hospitalization of subjects with schizophrenia.…”

Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Interventions Among Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia. A Systematic Review

“…Among the six reviewed articles, the participants received different therapeutic equine-assisted interventions. Most of the studies used bonding activities with the horses such as building trust and a relationship between the participants and the horses (Bizub, Joy, & Davidson, 2003;Cerino, Cirulli, Chiarotti, & Seripa, 2011;Corring, Lundberg, & Rudnick, 2013;Nurenberg et al, 2015). Only one study included common stable work (Burgeon, 2003), where the participants participated in mocking out.…”

Equine-Related Treatments For Mental Disorders Lack Empirical Support: A Systematic Review of Empirical Investigations

“…The author concluded that four main themes emerged, including improved confidence and self-esteem, an increased sense of mastery and self-efficacy, development of empathy, and initiation of positive future opportunities. Corring, Lundberg, and Rudnick (2013). Corring et al (2013) examined whether THR can benefit patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder as an adjunct to the care provided by Assertive Community Treatment teams.…”

“…Corring, Lundberg, and Rudnick (2013). Corring et al (2013) examined whether THR can benefit patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder as an adjunct to the care provided by Assertive Community Treatment teams. Participants included six outpatients (female n = 2; aged 36-59 years).…”