Equine-related treatments for mental disorders lack empirical support: a systematic review of empirical investigations.

The research article indicates that there is insufficient empirical evidence to support the efficacy of equine-related treatments (ERTs) for mental disorders. It underscores the need for more well-designed investigations to justify the use and marketing of such treatments.

Objective

The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality and results of peer-reviewed studies on equine-related treatments for mental disorders. This was aimed at addressing the growing popularity of ERTs against the backdrop of limited systematic research.

Methods

• The researchers examined 14 peer-reviewed studies that explored ERTs for mental disorders or closely related outcomes.
• They sourced these studies from various databases as well as from reference sections of articles.

Results

• They found that all considered studies were compromised by a substantial number of threats to validity.
• This raised inherent doubts about the meaning and clinical significance of these study findings.
• There was also a failure to provide consistent evidence proving that ERTs are more effective than the mere passage of time for treating any mental disorder.

Conclusion

Based on the current evidence, the researchers concluded that there is not enough justification for the marketing and utilization of ERT for treating mental disorders. These services should not be offered to the public unless and until there is evidence from well-designed studies to warrant different conclusions. This essentially calls for a more critical and methodical approach to the study of ERTs before they can be considered a verified treatment for mental disorders.