Pilot testing a manualized equine-facilitated cognitive processing therapy (EF-CPT) intervention for PTSD in veterans.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to test effectiveness and feasibility of equine-facilitated cognitive processing therapy (EF-CPT), a manualized adaptation of the cognitive processing therapy model for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) championed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, in which equine-facilitated activities are integrated into face-to-face sessions. Methods: Twenty-seven veterans with a diagnosis of PTSD participated (M = 51; 78% male) in a pretest-posttest design. Veterans were seen by a single psychologist for 12 sessions of individual EF-CPT. Instruments included: PTSD Checklist (PCL), Trauma Related Guilt Inventory (TRGI), Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), and the Human Animal Bond Scale (HABS). We hypothesized improvement on all measures, low attrition, and good model fidelity. Paired sample t tests were conducted using SPSS. Results: PCL scores improved significantly (M1 = 68.25, M2 = 35.96, p ≤ .001), as did TRGI scores (p ≤ .001 on all scales). HABS and WAI indicated good working relationship. Two individuals attended one session and did not return (both under the age of 50); there was no other attrition (7% rate). Audio of sessions was reviewed for fidelity; there were variations in temporal order of session plans, which is within the acceptable flexibility of the manual. Conclusions: This manualized intervention has promise as an effective and well-tolerated treatment for veterans with PTSD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
Publication Date: 2019-03-25 PubMed ID: 30907609DOI: 10.1037/prj0000359Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study was conducted to test the effectiveness and feasibility of a therapeutic treatment method called equine-facilitated cognitive processing therapy (EF-CPT) for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results of the study suggest that EF-CPT has promise as an effective and well-tolerated treatment for PTSD.
Overview of Methodology
- The study used a pretest-posttest design wherein each of the 27 participating veterans diagnosed with PTSD were seen by a psychologist for 12 sessions of individual EF-CPT.
- Various instruments were used to measure the impact of the therapy. These include the PTSD Checklist (PCL), the Trauma-Related Guilt Inventory (TRGI), the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI), and the Human Animal Bond Scale (HABS).
- The researchers hypothesized that there would be an improvement on all measures, minimal dropouts and strong adherence to the model.
- The results were analyzed using paired sample t-tests conducted using the software SPSS.
Results of the Study
- Findings from the study indicated that PCL scores, which measure severity of PTSD symptoms, improved significantly post-intervention.
- Similarly, TRGI scores, which measure trauma-related guilt, also showed significant improvement.
- Indicators such as HABS and WAI which reflect the quality of the working relationship between the therapists and the veterans were also positive.
- The program had a low attrition rate of only 7%, with only two participants, both under the age of 50, not returning after their first session.
- A review of the audio of the therapy sessions showed that there was adherence to the therapy model, with only minor acceptable variations in the temporal order of session plans.
Conclusion
- The results of this study suggest that EF-CPT could be a promising treatment option for veterans suffering from PTSD, providing them with a new therapeutic approach that is effective and well-accepted.
Cite This Article
APA
Wharton T, Whitworth J, Macauley E, Malone M.
(2019).
Pilot testing a manualized equine-facilitated cognitive processing therapy (EF-CPT) intervention for PTSD in veterans.
Psychiatr Rehabil J, 42(3), 268-276.
https://doi.org/10.1037/prj0000359 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Social Work and College of Medicine.
- School of Social Work and College of Medicine.
- School of Social Work and College of Medicine.
- Therapeutic Riding of Tuscaloosa.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Aged
- Animal Assisted Therapy / methods
- Animals
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
- Feasibility Studies
- Female
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pilot Projects
- Process Assessment, Health Care
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation / methods
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / rehabilitation
- United States
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs
- Veterans
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Marchand WR. Potential Mechanisms of Action and Outcomes of Equine-Assisted Services for Veterans with a History of Trauma: A Narrative Review of the Literature.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023 Jul 16;20(14).
- Marchand WR, Andersen SJ, Smith JE, Hoopes KH, Carlson JK. Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current State, Challenges and Future Directions.. Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks) 2021 Jan-Dec;5:2470547021991556.
- Chakales PA, Locklear J, Wharton T. Medicine and Horsemanship: The Effects of Equine-assisted Activities and Therapies on Stress and Depression in Medical Students.. Cureus 2020 Feb 5;12(2):e6896.
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