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Trials2020; 21(1); 857; doi: 10.1186/s13063-020-04784-3

Equine-assisted biographical work (EABW) with individuals in the second half of life: study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Abstract: Equine-assisted therapy is more often practiced with children and adolescents than with the elderly, although individuals in the second half of life could also profit from it. This group, from the age of 50, is characterised by increasing emotional, social, health-related and cognitive changes; a critical life event, such as a neurological illness or loss of a family member, can increase the likelihood of subclinical depression. Individuals who exhibit depressive symptoms not necessarily diagnosed with a major depression may suffer from relevant losses of quality of life (e.g. sleep disorders, memory disorders, feelings of guilt, hopelessness). Despite the fact that the various healthcare systems are in general more frequently used, such individuals often do not receive adequate therapy. The processing of one's biography (reminiscence) is an elementary component of most psychotherapy approaches and has been demonstrated to treat and prevent the development of major depression. In this study, equine-assisted biographical work (EABW), a combination of equine-assisted therapy and biographical work, will be applied with individuals with subclinical depression in the second half of their life. Methods: This is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled and open phase III study in enrolling participants with subclinical depression. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether a preventive, equine-assisted, age-specific treatment combining elements of equine-assisted intervention with those of biographical work offers better treatment potentials in comparison to a control group with no intervention. Study participants in the intervention group will receive weekly equine-assisted biographical work over a period of 8 weeks. The primary endpoint is the change in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) in a pre-post comparison. Secondary endpoints include other health-related questionnaires including quality of life, reminiscence functions and anxiety. Conclusions: The present study is the first randomised study examining the efficacy of biographical work with a horse and has the potential to establish an empirically based treatment for individuals in the second half of life and improving the symptoms of subclinical depression. Background: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017010 . Registered on 01 April 2019.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-15 PubMed ID: 33059730PubMed Central: PMC7558734DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04784-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 article revolves around a multicentre randomised controlled trial that seeks to understand the potential benefits of implementing equine-assisted biographical work (EABW) with individuals older than 50 years who may be exhibiting subclinical depression symptoms. The goal is to determine whether this intervention can help improve their quality of life.

Understanding the Research Paper

  • The paper recognises that equine-assisted therapy, while common for children and adolescents, can be beneficial for adults over the age of 50 who are experiencing various emotional, social, health-related and cognitive changes. Such changes could be due to a critical life event like illness or loss, leading to symptoms of subclinical depression, which may not be diagnosed as major depression but significantly affect quality of life.
  • The authors argue that despite the high usage of healthcare systems, these older individuals often do not receive adequate therapy. Biographical work or reminiscence therapy, an elemental component of most psychotherapy approaches, can prevent the development of major depression.
  • The research aims to explore the effects of EABW, an integration of equine-assisted therapy and biographical work, in individuals over 50 with subclinical depression symptoms. This is executed through a multicentre, prospective, randomised, controlled, and open phase III study.

Research Methodology

  • The study aims to analyse if equine-assisted, age-specific treatment combined with elements of biographical work can yield better treatment success compared to a control group receiving no intervention.
  • The intervention group will undergo weekly equine-assisted biographical work sessions over an eight-week period.
  • Primary endpoint of the study is to measure the change in Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) through a pre-post comparison. The BDI-II is a well-validated tool for assessing severity of depression in diagnosed patients.
  • Secondary endpoints will consider other health-related questionnaires assessing quality of life, reminiscence functions, and anxiety levels.

Conclusions

  • The research anticipates crucial findings about the effectiveness of EABW and its potential to establish an empirically supported treatment for individuals over 50, focused on mitigating subclinical depression symptoms.
  • Being the first to study this intervention method, it holds the potential to greatly influence the acceptance and practice of EABW in cognitive and psychotherapy with older adults.

Cite This Article

APA
Schmidt J, Wartenberg-Demand A, Forstmeier S. (2020). Equine-assisted biographical work (EABW) with individuals in the second half of life: study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial. Trials, 21(1), 857. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04784-3

Publication

Trials
ISSN: 1745-6215
NlmUniqueID: 101263253
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Pages: 857
PII: 857

Researcher Affiliations

Schmidt, Julia
  • Reittherapie Wittgenstein, Pulvermühle 3, 57319, Bad Berleburg, Germany.
  • Developmental Psychology and Clinical Psychology of the Lifespan, Faculty II, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2a, 57068, Siegen, Germany.
Wartenberg-Demand, Andrea
  • , Schrecksbach, Germany.
Forstmeier, Simon
  • Developmental Psychology and Clinical Psychology of the Lifespan, Faculty II, University of Siegen, Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2a, 57068, Siegen, Germany. simon.forstmeier@uni-siegen.de.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anxiety
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / therapy
  • Horses
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Grant Funding

  • no number / Rittal Foundation
  • No number / J. J. Darboven
  • No number / Bu00fcrgerstiftung Siegen

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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