A Pilot Observational Study of Implementing an Equine-A ssisted Services Program Within a VA Medical Center Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program.

The research article presents a pilot study on the implementation of an equine-assisted intervention within a residential substance use disorder treatment program at a Veterans Administration medical center. The study highlights the intervention’s safety, feasibility, and preliminary outcomes, indicating possible benefits for veterans with addictive disorders and those at risk of suicide.

Objective of the Study

• The primary objective of the research was to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and primary outcomes of executing an equine-assisted intervention within a residential substance abuse treatment program in a large Veterans Administration medical center.
• A secondary aim was to test the effectiveness of psychological instruments for use in more rigorous studies in the future.
• The overarching goal of the study was to pave a way for conducting a larger randomized controlled trial of this intervention for veterans suffering from addictive disorders.

Methodology

• The researchers enrolled 33 Veterans, consisting of 29 males and 4 females, who participated in one 4-hour session of combined equine-assisted learning and equine-assisted psychotherapy during their time in a residential substance abuse treatment program.
• The study assessed changes in affect, anxiety, and craving using preintervention and postintervention instruments.
• Demographic and diagnostic variables were used to predict possible outcomes.

Results

• The results indicated that the intervention was safe and feasible as there were no adverse outcomes to patients, staff, or the equines participating.
• The instruments, i.e., the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Craving Experience Questionnaire, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale, showed significant decreases in anxiety, negative affect, and craving from before the intervention to after the intervention was done. There was also an increase in positive affect noted after the intervention.
• The presence or absence of a history of suicide attempts and/or suicidal ideation were found to be predictive of some postintervention scores.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• The researchers conclude that while more rigorous studies are needed, the results infer that the equine-assisted intervention is safe and could be beneficial for veterans enrolled in a residential substance abuse treatment program.
• The study also concluded that the psychological instruments used were suitable for use in future research investigations.
• The presence or absence of suicide history or ideation could serve as a predictive factor in future trials.
• The study opens the pathway for more rigorous and larger research studies in the future, addressing the application of equine-assisted interventions in the treatment of addictive disorders among veterans.