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PloS one2018; 13(9); e0203943; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203943

Evaluation of an equine-assisted therapy program for veterans who identify as ‘wounded, injured or ill’ and their partners.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of an equine-assisted therapy program for Defence Force veterans and their partners across the psychological domains of depression, anxiety, stress, posttraumatic stress, happiness, and quality of life, as well as compare the outcomes of an Individual and Couples program. A non-controlled, within-subjects longitudinal design was utilized with assessment at three time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three months follow-up). Between-subjects analysis with two groups was also conducted to compare the outcomes of the Individual and Couples programs. Participants were recruited from ten programs in 2016 with a total of 47 veterans and partners from both an Individual program (n = 25; veterans only) and a Couples program (n = 22). Outcome measures included the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form. Paired samples t-tests revealed that within both the Individual and Couples programs, there were significantly fewer psychological symptoms and significantly greater levels of happiness and quality of life at post-intervention compared to pre-intervention. Reduced psychological symptoms were maintained at the three months follow-up for participants of the Couples program only. Independent samples t-tests revealed participants in the Couples program reported significantly less symptoms of depression, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at follow-up compared to participants in the Individual program. These results indicate there may only be meaningful benefits for equine-assisted therapy in the reduction of depression, stress, and PTSD symptoms for veterans, if partners are integrated into the intervention.
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Publication Date: 2018-09-27 PubMed ID: 30260975PubMed Central: PMC6160012DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203943Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Evaluation Study
  • 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.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of horse therapy programs for military veterans and their spouses or partners, comparing individual and joint programs. The researchers found that both methods reduced psychological issues and increased happiness and quality of life, but only the joint program maintained these benefits three months later. Furthermore, the participants in the joint program reported fewer symptoms of depression, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder at the follow-up stage.

Study Purpose and Design

  • This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy for military veterans who claim they are ‘wounded, injured, or ill’ and their partners in various psychological aspects, such as depression, anxiety, stress, posttraumatic stress, happiness, and quality of life.
  • The researchers also compared the outcomes of individual and couple therapy programs.
  • To conduct this study, a non-controlled, within-subjects longitudinal design was used, which measured the outcomes at three different times: before the therapy, after the therapy, and three months after the therapy.

Participants and Measures

  • The participants included 47 military veterans and their partners who were recruited from ten different programs during 2016.
  • This group included 25 military veterans participating in individual therapy programs and 22 pairs participating in couples programs.
  • The researchers used several measures to collect data, such as the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, Oxford Happiness Questionnaire, and Quality-of-Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form.

Results of the Study

  • The results showed a significant decrease in psychological symptoms and a substantial improvement in happiness and quality of life in both individual and couple therapy programs right after the intervention compared to before the therapy.
  • This decrease in psychological symptoms, however, was only maintained three months after the therapy for participants of the couples program.
  • Additionally, the participants in the couples program reported significantly fewer depression, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms at the follow-up stage than the participants in the individual program.

Study Implications

  • The study suggests that equine-assisted therapy could significantly reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans.
  • However, the therapeutic benefits seem to last longer when partners are included in the therapy, suggesting the importance of having a supportive system during and after therapy.

Cite This Article

APA
Romaniuk M, Evans J, Kidd C. (2018). Evaluation of an equine-assisted therapy program for veterans who identify as ‘wounded, injured or ill’ and their partners. PLoS One, 13(9), e0203943. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0203943

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 9
Pages: e0203943

Researcher Affiliations

Romaniuk, Madeline
  • Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Veteran Mental Health Initiative, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  • Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  • Institute of Health & Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
  • Institute of Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield Central, Queensland, Australia.
Evans, Justine
  • Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Veteran Mental Health Initiative, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Kidd, Chloe
  • Gallipoli Medical Research Institute, Veteran Mental Health Initiative, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Australia
  • Depression / psychology
  • Depression / therapy
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
  • Happiness
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Spouses / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy
  • Veterans / psychology
  • Veterans Health

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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This article has been cited 26 times.
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