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Home / Equine Research Bank / Br J Pain / Impact of equine interactions on human acute pain perception...
British journal of pain2024; 20494637241302391; doi: 10.1177/20494637241302391

Impact of equine interactions on human acute pain perception: Two cross sectional studies.

Abstract: Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapy, usually involving dogs, as a way to reduce pain in inpatient and outpatient populations. Here two studies investigate the effectiveness of interacting with horses for reducing human acute pain perception. Unassigned: In Study 1, a blood-pressure cuff was used to administer acute ischaemic pain to 70 adult participants, who were allocated to one of three groups: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Horse Interaction without EAP (HI), and a Control (no horses present). All participants engaged in an activity (finding a horse treat) in a large, enclosed arena. The dependent variable was the subjective pain rating (scale 0-10) of the participant in response to moderate pain induced pre- and post-activity. In Study 2, 53 adult participants were recruited and allocated to either an Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) Group or a Control Group. The same paradigm was used. Following the activity sessions, qualitative data was elicited from the participants regarding their insights and feelings. It was hypothesized that any interaction with horses would significantly reduce an individual's perception of pain. Unassigned: In both studies, planned paired-samples t-tests showed significant reductions in pain ratings from pre-activity to post-activity in the EAL, EAP and HI groups (large and medium effect sizes) but not the Control groups. Thematic analysis of the qualitative responses showed an overwhelmingly positive array of responses from those who interacted with the horses, for example, feeling relaxed and happy during the activity. Unassigned: Interactions with horses can reduce acute pain perception. Distraction, physiological changes, and positive emotions are discussed as possible underlying mechanisms. It remains to be seen how this could be more widely applied, for example, in relation to chronic pain.
© The Author(s) 2024.
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Publication Date: 2024-11-29 PubMed ID: 39619499PubMed Central: PMC11607707DOI: 10.1177/20494637241302391Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 investigates the impact that interaction with horses can have on human acute pain perception. It presents two studies which demonstrate significant reductions in perceived pain among participants who engaged with the animals during Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Horse Interaction sessions, compared to control groups.

Study Design and Variables

  • The research comprises two separate but related experimental studies. Both studies aimed to measure the effects of equine interactions on human acute pain perception.
  • In Study 1, 70 adult participants were randomly assigned into one of three groups: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Horse Interaction without EAP (HI), and a Control (no horses present). The participants had to find a horse treat during a task in an enclosed arena.
  • This study utilized a blood-pressure cuff to administer acute ischaemic pain to the participants. The dependent variable was each participant’s subjective pain rating recorded pre- and post-activity.
  • In the second study, 53 adult participants were recruited and put into either an Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) group or a Control group. The same design was followed.
  • The focus of Study 2 is to evaluate the effectiveness of EAL against a Control group in reducing the perception of pain. The qualitative data collected post-activity gave insights into the participant’s experiences and feelings.

Key Findings

  • In both studies, participants who interacted with horses displayed significant reductions in their self-reported pain ratings from pre-activity to post-activity.
  • These results were obtained in the EAL, EAP, and HI groups with large and medium effect sizes, indicating the potency of the intervention.
  • The Control groups in both studies did not show any significant change in their pain ratings.
  • Qualitative responses from participants interacting with the horses were overwhelmingly positive, expressing feelings of relaxation and happiness during the activity.

Conclusions and Implications

  • The results from the two studies suggest that interactions with horses may be a viable method for reducing acute pain perception.
  • The researchers discuss possible mechanisms that could explain these results, such as distraction from the pain, physiological changes induced by the interaction with horses, and the generation of positive emotions.
  • However, it is unclear from this study how these findings could be applied more broadly, for instance in reducing chronic pain. Further research is needed to explore these possibilities.

Cite This Article

APA
Doherty-Sneddon G, Caiazza R, Pawlowska E, Vuong Q. (2024). Impact of equine interactions on human acute pain perception: Two cross sectional studies. Br J Pain, 20494637241302391. https://doi.org/10.1177/20494637241302391

Publication

British journal of pain
ISSN: 2049-4637
NlmUniqueID: 101583844
Country: England
Language: English
Pages: 20494637241302391

Researcher Affiliations

Doherty-Sneddon, Gwyneth
  • School of Psychology, Dame Margaret Barbour Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Caiazza, Roberta
  • Cavallo Therapy, Psychological Consultancy RC LTD, Seaton Sluice, Whitley Bay, UK.
Pawlowska, Emilia
  • School of Psychology, Dame Margaret Barbour Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Vuong, Quoc
  • Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The author(s) declared the following potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: Dr Caiazza is Director of Cavallo Therapies where Study 1 was carried out. Cavallo Therapies were paid for providing the EAP sessions used in Study 1.

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