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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Environ Res Public Health / Potential Mechanisms of Action and Outcomes of Equine-Assist...
International journal of environmental research and public health2023; 20(14); doi: 10.3390/ijerph20146377

Potential Mechanisms of Action and Outcomes of Equine-Assisted Services for Veterans with a History of Trauma: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

Abstract: Equine-assisted services (EASs) are being increasingly used as complementary interventions for military veterans who have experienced trauma. However, there is limited evidence of benefit for this population and almost no literature describing the desired potential outcomes and possible mechanisms of action. The aim of this article is to address these gaps by reviewing the extant literature of animal-assisted interventions in general, and equine-assisted services in particular, with the goal of providing guidance for future investigations in the field. Currently, the field is in the early stage of scientific development, but published results are promising. Interventions that enhance treatment compliance and/or outcomes could benefit this population. Preliminary results, reviewed herein, indicate that EAS interventions might benefit the military veteran population by enhancing treatment engagement and therapeutic alliance, as well as by contributing to symptom reduction and resulting in various transdiagnostic benefits. It is recommended that future studies include exploration of potential beneficial outcomes discussed herein, as well as investigate suggested mechanisms of action.
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Publication Date: 2023-07-16 PubMed ID: 37510609PubMed Central: PMC10379349DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20146377Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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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.

This study reviews the existing literature on Equine-Assisted Services (EASs), a therapy where patients interact with horses, and its potential benefits to military veterans who have experienced trauma. Despite promising preliminary results indicating enhanced treatment engagement and various benefits, the study acknowledges a lack of sufficient scientific evidence and outlines areas for future research.

Current State of Equine-Assisted Services (EASs)

  • This review acknowledges that EASs are becoming increasingly popular as complementary interventions for military veterans who have experienced trauma. However, it also emphasizes the scarcity of solid scientific evidence demonstrating the benefits of this type of therapy for this specific population.
  • According to the authors, despite the popularity of EASs, few studies have investigated the objectives of these interventions or possible mechanisms by which they might improve the patients’ condition.

Objective of the Review

  • The primary aim of this narrative review is to examine available literature on animal-assisted interventions in general and EASs in particular. This exploration is designed to provide a foundation for future investigations and potentially identify areas where EASs may benefit veterans.

Preliminary Results of EAS Studies

  • The article notes that the EAS field is in the early stages of scientific research. However, the initial outcomes from published studies are promising, making EAS an exciting prospect for further exploration.
  • Initial results suggest that EAS interventions may enhance treatment engagement and therapeutic alliance. These are aspects of therapy in which the patient feels connected, understood, and in collaboration with their therapist. Improvements in these areas could potentially improve the overall therapeutic result.
  • In addition to improving treatment engagement, EAS is also believed to contribute towards reducing symptoms and providing transdiagnostic benefits. Transdiagnostic benefits are improvements that apply to a range of different mental health disorders, instead of being specific to one particular diagnosis.

Recommendations for Future Research

  • Given the promising but preliminary nature of the research, the authors recommend further studies to explore these beneficial outcomes and investigate the mechanisms through which EAS could yield benefits for the veteran population.

Cite This Article

APA
Marchand WR. (2023). 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, 20(14). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146377

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 14

Researcher Affiliations

Marchand, William R
  • VISN 19 Whole Health Flagship Site, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA.
  • Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Utah, 501 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
  • Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, 4815 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Veterans
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
  • Military Personnel
  • Therapeutic Alliance

Conflict of Interest Statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

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Citations

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