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Addiction science & clinical practice2020; 15(1); 7; doi: 10.1186/s13722-020-0183-z

Complementary horse-assisted therapy for substance use disorders: a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: Treatment completion is the greatest challenge for the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs). A previous investigation showed that complementary horse-assisted therapy (cHAT) was associated with higher retention in treatment and completion than standard treatment alone. This randomized controlled trial further explored the benefits of cHAT for patients with SUDs. Fifty patients in residential SUD treatment at the Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, were randomly allocated to either cHAT (cHAT group) or treatment as usual alone (TAU-only group). The primary end-point was treatment completion. Secondary end-points were dropout, transfer to another treatment, and time in treatment. The multinomial logistic regression analysis found no statistically significant association between intervention (cHAT) and treatment outcome (completion, dropout, transferred) among the 37 participants who were ultimately recruited to the study. Some unforeseen challenges were encountered in the study: a high number of subjects transferred to another treatment, variable attendance at cHAT sessions, and long temporary exits. Nevertheless, 44% of participants in the cHAT group completed their treatment, compared with 32% in the TAU-only group; this observation encourages further investigation in a larger sample. Though no association was identified between cHAT and treatment retention or completion, our study may have been underpowered. Further work in a larger clinical population is needed; observational studies with repeated measures may also be useful for investigating whether cHAT increases retention in treatment or rates of completion, two important factors for successful SUD treatment. Trial registration The trial was registered and approved on 14 October 2011 by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics with registration number 2011/1642 and registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 21 February 2013 with registration number NCT01795755.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-04 PubMed ID: 32019584PubMed Central: PMC7001193DOI: 10.1186/s13722-020-0183-zGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • 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.

This research sought to explore the benefits of complementary horse-assisted therapy for patients with substance use disorders, focusing on treatment completion as a measure of success. Although there was no statistically significant correlation between horse-assisted therapy and treatment outcome, the researchers posit that the study may have been underpowered and encourage further investigation in a larger clinical population.

Objectives of the Study

  • The research aimed to investigate the effects of complementary horse-assisted therapy (cHAT) on the treatment completion of substance use disorders (SUDs).
  • The study aimed to draw connections (if any) between this form of therapy and the retention of patients in treatment, dropout rates, transfers to other treatments, and time in treatment.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving fifty patients in residential SUD treatment at the Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital.
  • The patients were randomly placed into one of the two groups: the cHAT group which received horse-assisted therapy along with the usual treatment or the TAU-only group which received standard treatment only.
  • The main outcome of interest was treatment completion, but the researchers also considered dropout rates, transfers to other treatments, and time spent in treatment.

Results

  • The results of the multinomial logistic regression analysis did not reveal a statistically significant link between cHAT and the treatment outcome.
  • Some challenges, such as a large number of subjects transferred to other treatments, inconsistent attendance at cHAT sessions, and slightly extended exits, disrupted the study procedures.
  • However, 44% of participants in the cHAT group were able to complete their treatment, compared to only 32% in the TAU-only group.

Conclusion

  • Even though this study did not find a significant relationship between cHAT and treatment retention or completion, the researchers believe that the study may have been underpowered due to the small sample size and the challenges encountered.
  • They suggest that more research should be carried out in a larger clinical population, potentially including observational studies with repeated measures, to further investigate if cHAT improves retention in treatment or completion rates—two crucial factors for successful SUD treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Gatti F, Walderhaug E, Kern-Godal A, Lysell J, Arnevik EA. (2020). Complementary horse-assisted therapy for substance use disorders: a randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract, 15(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-020-0183-z

Publication

Addiction science & clinical practice
ISSN: 1940-0640
NlmUniqueID: 101316917
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 7
PII: 7

Researcher Affiliations

Gatti, Francesca
  • Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital HF, P.O 4959, 0424, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway.
Walderhaug, Espen
  • Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital HF, P.O 4959, 0424, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway.
Kern-Godal, Ann
  • Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital HF, P.O 4959, 0424, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway.
Lysell, Jeanette
  • Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital HF, P.O 4959, 0424, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway.
Arnevik, Espen Ajo
  • Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital HF, P.O 4959, 0424, Nydalen, Oslo, Norway. ESARNE@ous-hf.no.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Comorbidity
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Norway
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Dropouts
  • Substance-Related Disorders / therapy
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Grant Funding

  • 2011/1642 / Norges Forskningsru00e5d

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Diaz L, Gormley MA, Coleman A, Sepanski A, Corley H, Perez A, Litwin AH. Equine-assisted services for individuals with substance use disorders: a scoping review. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2022 Dec 14;17(1):81.
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  2. Seeger L, Kübler A, Hilger K. Drop-out rates in animal-assisted psychotherapy - Results of a quantitative meta-analysis. Br J Clin Psychol 2025 Jun;64(2):166-187.
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  3. Machová K, Juríčková V, Kasparová A, Petrová K, Sládková B, Svobodová I. An evaluation of the effect of equine-facilitated psychotherapy on patients with substance use disorders. PLoS One 2023;18(6):e0286867.
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