Equine-Assisted Intervention and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Non-randomized, Controlled, Multicenter Study.

Overview

• This study investigated the effects of equine-assisted intervention (EAI) on psychological health in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
• The research compared EAI to adapted physical activity (APA) and usual care in a controlled, multi-site setting involving nursing home residents.

Study Design and Participants

• Type of study: Non-randomized, controlled, multicenter study.
• Number of centers: 14 nursing homes participated in the research.
• Participants: 74 older adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease were recruited.
• Groups:
  • EAI group – participants engaged in an equine-assisted intervention program.
  • APA group – participants followed an adapted physical activity program.
  • Control group (CG) – participants continued their usual daily activities without added interventions.

Intervention Details

• Equine-Assisted Intervention (EAI):
  • Involves therapeutic activities with horses aimed at stimulating psychological and emotional well-being.
  • Provided environmental enrichment through interaction with animals and nature.
• Adapted Physical Activity (APA):
  • Structured physical exercises adapted for older adults with cognitive impairment.
  • Served as a comparison to assess benefits specific to EAI.

Outcomes Assessed

• Psychobehavioral disorders – symptoms such as agitation, anxiety, or aggression associated with AD.
• Quality of Life – overall well-being and life satisfaction.
• Depressive symptoms – measures of mood and signs of depression.

Key Findings

• Significant reductions in psychobehavioral disorders were observed in the EAI group, especially by week six of the intervention.
• Participants in the EAI group experienced an improvement in quality of life compared to the other groups.
• There was a slight decrease in depressive symptoms in the EAI group, though this was less pronounced.
• No significant improvements were noted in the APA or control groups for these psychological outcomes.

Interpretation and Implications

• The study addresses the crucial need for non-pharmacological approaches to support emotional well-being in people with AD.
• EAI offers meaningful environmental enrichment, likely contributing to its therapeutic benefits.
• Such interventions can be especially valuable in institutional settings where enhancing daily experiences is challenging.
• EAI emerges as a promising complementary therapy to improve emotional comfort, reduce behavioral issues, and enhance overall quality of life in AD patients.
• Further research, potentially with randomized controlled trials, could strengthen evidence and explore long-term effects.