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Home / Equine Research Bank / Cureus / Medicine and Horsemanship: The Effects of Equine-assisted Ac...
Cureus2020; 12(2); e6896; doi: 10.7759/cureus.6896

Medicine and Horsemanship: The Effects of Equine-assisted Activities and Therapies on Stress and Depression in Medical Students.

Abstract: This study examined the use of an equine-assisted brief course module on stress and depression among medical students (n = 28), a demographic known to experience high pressure. Evidence supports that animal-assisted therapies can lead to the improvement of health and quality of life, particularly in terms of cognitive, psychological, and physical benefits. This study used the seven-session Kane Medicine and Horsemanship program; students completed pre- and post-measures one week before and after the course. Participation in the course significantly reduced perceived stress (p: 0.001), depression (p: <0.001), stress severity (p: 0.014), and stress frequency (p: 0.001) among medical students. This approach should be further investigated as an option for improving well-being among medical students.
Copyright © 2020, Chakales et al.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-05 PubMed ID: 32195063PubMed Central: PMC7059872DOI: 10.7759/cureus.6896Google 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 examines the impact of equine-assisted therapy on reducing stress and depression levels among medical students. Results revealed that the therapy significantly decreased stress, depression, stress severity, and stress frequency.

Introduction

  • The study was focused on assessing a new intervention strategy for reducing stress and depression among medical students, a group known to experience high pressure and stress in their academic journey.
  • The intervention under study was an equine-assisted brief course module. This course module is part of the Kane Medicine and Horsemanship program, which is an established equine therapy program.

Methodology

  • The sample size used for this study was 28 medical students, providing a small but significant population to observe and study.
  • The methodology involved conducting pre- and post-measures one week before and after the course to observe and measure any changes in perceived stress, depression, stress severity and stress frequency.

Results

  • The results were significant and showed that after the course, there was a reduced perception of stress (p: 0.001), depression (p: <0.001), stress severity (p: 0.014) and stress frequency (p: 0.001) among the medical students
  • These results indicate that the equine-assisted brief course has a positive impact on the mental health of medical students, likely due to the therapeutic benefits of animal-assisted activities.

Conclusion

  • Based on the observed significant results, the study suggests that equine-assisted therapy could be a useful approach to improve well-being among medical students.
  • However, the study also notes that more research is needed to further investigate this approach, potentially indicating the need for studies with larger sample sizes or varying demographics.

Cite This Article

APA
Chakales PA, Locklear J, Wharton T. (2020). Medicine and Horsemanship: The Effects of Equine-assisted Activities and Therapies on Stress and Depression in Medical Students. Cureus, 12(2), e6896. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.6896

Publication

Cureus
ISSN: 2168-8184
NlmUniqueID: 101596737
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Pages: e6896
PII: e6896

Researcher Affiliations

Chakales, Pressley A
  • Neurology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA.
Locklear, Jacklyn
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA.
Wharton, Tracy
  • Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
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