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Explore (New York, N.Y.)2015; 11(6); 461-467; doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2015.08.003

Project Stride: An Equine-Assisted Intervention to Reduce Symptoms of Social Anxiety in Young Women.

Abstract: Although there is evidence supporting the use of equine-assisted activities to treat mental disorders, its efficacy in reducing signs and symptoms of social anxiety in young women has not been examined. Methods: We developed and pilot tested Project Stride, a brief, six-session intervention combining equine-assisted activities and cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce symptoms of social anxiety. A total of 12 women, 18-29 years of age, were randomly assigned to Project Stride or a no-treatment control. Participants completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale at baseline, immediate-post, and 6 weeks after treatment. Results: Project Stride was highly acceptable and feasible. Compared to control participants, those in Project Stride had significantly greater reductions in social anxiety scores from baseline to immediate-post [decrease of 24.8 points; t (9) = 3.40, P = .008)] and from baseline to follow-up [decrease of 31.8 points; t (9) = 4.12, P = .003)]. Conclusions: These findings support conducting a full-scale efficacy trial of Project Stride.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2015-08-20 PubMed ID: 26386749DOI: 10.1016/j.explore.2015.08.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

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 research examines “Project Stride”, a therapy program that uses horse-assisted activities combined with cognitive-behavioral strategies to tackle social anxiety symptoms in young women. Results suggest the program significantly reduced social anxiety scores, supporting the idea that it may be a valid therapy option.

About the Study

  • The study was designed to test the effectiveness of an intervention, termed “Project Stride”, aimed at improving symptoms of social anxiety in young women. The intervention combined equine-assisted activities and cognitive-behavioral strategies.
  • While there is existing evidence supporting the use of equine-assisted activities for the treatment of mental disorders, no previous research had specifically tested their utility in addressing social anxiety symptoms in young women.
  • This research addresses this gap and provides initial evidence supporting the effectiveness of such a strategy.

Samples and Methods

  • The study included 12 women aged between 18 and 29 years. These women were randomly assigned to either Project Stride or a non-treatment control group.
  • The intervention consisted of six sessions and the impact was measured using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale at three points: at the beginning of the program, immediately after its conclusion, and 6 weeks following its conclusion.
  • The methodology ensured that the impact of the treatment could be measured against a baseline for each participant and also observed over a relatively longer period of time after the intervention.

Findings

  • Results showed that Project Stride was both acceptable and feasible to participants.
  • Significantly, participants who took part in Project Stride experienced greater reductions in social anxiety scores compared to those in the control group. These reductions were observed both immediately after the program, as well as six weeks later.
  • Specifically, participants saw a decrease of 24.8 points in their social anxiety scores immediately after the program and a decrease of 31.8 points six weeks later.

Conclusions

  • Overall, the study found positive results for the use of Project Stride as an intervention for reducing symptoms of social anxiety in young women.
  • The effectiveness of the combined approach of equine-assisted activities and cognitive-behavioral strategies in reducing social anxiety scores suggests that this could be a promising therapeutic intervention for social anxiety.
  • The study concludes that these findings justify conducting a full-scale efficacy trial of Project Stride.

Cite This Article

APA
Alfonso SV, Alfonso LA, Llabre MM, Fernandez MI. (2015). Project Stride: An Equine-Assisted Intervention to Reduce Symptoms of Social Anxiety in Young Women. Explore (NY), 11(6), 461-467. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2015.08.003

Publication

Explore (New York, N.Y.)
ISSN: 1878-7541
NlmUniqueID: 101233160
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 6
Pages: 461-467
PII: S1550-8307(15)00147-0

Researcher Affiliations

Alfonso, Sarah V
  • Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce De Leon Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146-0751. Electronic address: s.alfonso1@umiami.edu.
Alfonso, Lauren A
  • Department of Education, Leadership and Professional Studies Florida International University, Miami, FL.
Llabre, Maria M
  • Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce De Leon Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146-0751.
Fernandez, M Isabel
  • Behavioral Health Promotion Program, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Miami, FL.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Anxiety / therapy
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Sports / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological / therapy
  • Young Adult

Citations

This article has been cited 17 times.
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