A qualitative exploration of post-acute stroke participants’ experiences of a multimodal intervention incorporating horseback riding.
Abstract: Multimodal rehabilitation interventions delivered in late phase of stroke recovery involve physical (motor and sensory), social, and cognitively challenging activities. Horseback riding can be incorporated within such interventions, leading to meaningful long-term improvements when applied to individuals with moderate levels of disability. There is a lack of research illuminating stroke survivors' experiences and perceptions of horseback riding in the context of multimodal interventions. To explore stroke survivors' experiences of participation in a multimodal group-based intervention that included horseback riding. An explorative interview study was conducted with individual face-to-face interviews performed on a single occasion, utilising a semi-structured interview guide. Eighteen participants were purposively selected from a larger trial (mean age 62, 12 men, 6 women) within four weeks after treatment completion. The interview duration was between 17 and 50 minutes. The data was analysed using a qualitative content analysis method. Four broad themes were identified from the analysis. These themes were: transformative experiences; human-horse interaction; togetherness and belonging; and the all-in-one solution. Interacting with the horse and peers had a profound emotional impact on the participants. The participants also reported having learned new skills, increased self-efficacy and self-esteem, and improvements in balance and gait, all of which could be transferred to everyday life. The horse itself played a central role, but other components, such as the other group members, the instructors, and the challenging tasks on the horseback, were also important. A multimodal rehabilitation intervention that includes horseback riding may provide stroke survivors in a late phase of recovery with rich pleasurable experiences that may have life-changing and profound impacts on their emotional and physical state.
Publication Date: 2018-09-20 PubMed ID: 30235246PubMed Central: PMC6147507DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203933Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research presents a qualitative analysis of the experiences of post-stroke patients who participated in a horseback riding integrated multimodal rehabilitation intervention. The findings suggest that the intervention contributes to their emotional and physical recovery.
Research Objectives and Methodology
- The research aimed to explore the experiences of stroke survivors who participated in a multimodal group-based post-stroke activity that included horseback riding. This type of rehabilitation intervention combines physical, social, and cognitive activities.
- The researchers conducted an explorative interview study using a semi-structured process. A total of 18 stroke survivor participants was selected from a bigger trial and they were interviewed about their experiences within four weeks after completing the treatment.
- These interviews ranged from 17 to 50 minutes long.
- The information gathered from these interviews was then analysed using a method known as qualitative content analysis.
Research Findings
- Four central themes emerged from the interview data. These were transformative experiences, human-horse interaction, togetherness and belonging, and “the all-in-one solution”.
- Participants reported that the intervention had a profound emotional impact on them. Interaction with the horse and their group peers contributed to this significantly.
- They also reported skill improvement, enhanced self-efficacy and self-esteem, as well as physical improvements in balance and gait.
- These improvements were transferrable to the participants’ everyday life, contributing positively to their life after stroke.
- Interestingly, apart from horseback riding, other elements of the intervention were also perceived as important contributors. This includes interaction with other group members, the instructions given by the instructors, and the challenging tasks that they had to complete on horseback.
Conclusion
- The research reiterates the potential therapeutic benefits of incorporating horseback riding into multimodal rehabilitation interventions for stroke survivors.
- Such intervention provides pleasurable experiences which can have a profound impact on stroke survivors’ emotional and physical recovery in their late phase of recovery.
- It opens the door to the possibility of exploring more non-conventional, animal-assisted interventions in the field of stroke rehabilitation.
Cite This Article
APA
Pohl P, Carlsson G, Bunketorp Käll L, Nilsson M, Blomstrand C.
(2018).
A qualitative exploration of post-acute stroke participants’ experiences of a multimodal intervention incorporating horseback riding.
PLoS One, 13(9), e0203933.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203933 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Activity and Health, and Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Centre for Advanced Reconstruction of Extremities, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, Mölndal, Sweden.
- Department of Health and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Stroke Centre West, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
MeSH Terms
- Aged
- Animals
- Emotions / physiology
- Equine-Assisted Therapy
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Self Concept
- Self Efficacy
- Stroke / psychology
- Stroke Rehabilitation / methods
- Survivors / psychology
- Treatment Outcome
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
References
This article includes 50 references
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Fridén L, Hultsjö S, Lydell M, Jormfeldt H. Relatives' experiences of an equine-assisted intervention for people with psychotic disorders.. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2022 Dec;17(1):2087276.
- Viruega H, Imbernon C, Chausson N, Altarcha T, Aghasaryan M, Soumah D, Lescieux E, Flamand-Roze C, Simon O, Bedin A, Smadja D, Gaviria M. Neurorehabilitation through Hippotherapy on Neurofunctional Sequels of Stroke: Effect on Patients' Functional Independence, Sensorimotor/Cognitive Capacities and Quality of Life, and the Quality of Life of Their Caregivers-A Study Protocol.. Brain Sci 2022 May 9;12(5).
- Taylor EM, Robertson N, Lightfoot CJ, Smith AC, Jones CR. Nature-Based Interventions for Psychological Wellbeing in Long-Term Conditions: A Systematic Review.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Mar 9;19(6).
- Pálsdóttir AM, Gudmundsson M, Grahn P. Equine-Assisted Intervention to Improve Perceived Value of Everyday Occupations and Quality of Life in People with Lifelong Neurological Disorders: A Prospective Controlled Study.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Apr 3;17(7).
- Schwarzmueller-Erber G, Maier M, Kundi M. Pet Attachment and Wellbeing of Older-Aged Recreational Horseback Riders.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Mar 13;17(6).
- Bunketorp-Käll L, Pekna M, Pekny M, Blomstrand C, Nilsson M. Effects of horse-riding therapy and rhythm and music-based therapy on functional mobility in late phase after stroke.. NeuroRehabilitation 2019 Dec 18;45(4):483-492.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
