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Brain and behavior2023; e3148; doi: 10.1002/brb3.3148

The effects of equine-assisted activities on execution function in children aged 7-8 years: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract: This study examines the effects of equine-assisted activity (EAA) training on executive functioning (EF) (inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) in children aged 7-8 years. Methods: Twenty-Four healthy children aged 7-8 years with a 1:1 ratio of boys to girls were randomly divided into EAA group (EAAG) or control group (CG). The subjects in EAAG were trained for 12 weeks, and CG participated in normal daily activities. All subjects conducted the Flanker, 1-Back, and More-odd shifting tasks at rest and recorded the average reaction times (RTs) and accuracy data of each task. Results: After 12 weeks of EAA intervention, EAAG showed a highly significant increase (p < .01) in mean RTs and accuracy in the Flanker and More-odd shifting tasks and a highly significant increase (p < .01) in accuracy only in 1-Back. Conclusions: These findings suggest that 12-week EAA training can be effective in improving EF and promoting cognitive performance in children aged 7-8 years.
© 2023 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Publication Date: 2023-07-13 PubMed ID: 37443400DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3148Google 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 study investigates the potentially positive impact of equine-assisted activities (EAA) on the executive functioning of children aged 7-8 years old, such as improved response times and accuracy during cognitive tasks.

Research Methods

  • The research subjects comprised of 24 healthy children, aged 7-8 years, divided equally between boys and girls. The children were randomly placed into two groups, being either the equine-assisted activity group (EAAG) or the control group (CG).
  • The EAAG underwent 12 weeks of equine-assisted activity training, whereas the control group participants continued with their regular daily activities without any additional programs.
  • To measure results, all children were required to complete cognitive tasks such as the Flanker, 1-Back, and More-odd shifting tasks, which tests executive functions such as inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility respectively. The researchers recorded response times and accuracy during these tasks for comparison.

Research Findings

  • After the 12-week period, the EAAG children showed notable improvements in their performance on the cognitive tasks. Both their response times and accuracy had significantly increased on the Flanker task and More-odd shifting tasks.
  • In the 1-Back task, the children from the EAAG showed a significant increase in accuracy, but their response times remained unaltered.
  • The control group, which did not partake in the equine-assisted activity training, did not show similar improvements.

Conclusion

  • The study’s findings suggest that a 12-week program of equine-assisted activity training may have a beneficial effect on the executive functioning of children aged 7-8 years. This can result in more efficient cognitive performance in tasks that require inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.
  • The improvements in children’s executive functioning could have far-reaching implications, potentially boosting their performance in other areas that require these critical cognitive skills, such as academics and social interactions.

Cite This Article

APA
Cheng X, Zhen K, Fan Y, Tang Q, Wu H. (2023). The effects of equine-assisted activities on execution function in children aged 7-8 years: A randomized controlled trial. Brain Behav, e3148. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.3148

Publication

Brain and behavior
ISSN: 2162-3279
NlmUniqueID: 101570837
Country: United States
Language: English
Pages: e3148

Researcher Affiliations

Cheng, XiaoDong
  • School of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China.
Zhen, KeXin
  • Department of Physical Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China.
Fan, Yongzhao
  • School of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China.
Tang, Qian
  • College of Public Education, Huainan Union University, Huainan, China.
Wu, Hao
  • School of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Sutormina NV, Kalabina IA, Efimova VL, Nikolaeva EI. Functional connectivity patterns in preschool children associated with working memory performance and digital device use. Sci Rep 2025 Dec 30;16(1):1308.
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  2. Xie C, Zhang Z, Wang S, Zhang J, Jin Y. Effects of community-based open and closed skill exercise interventions on ecological executive function and mobile phone dependence of adolescents. Front Psychol 2025;16:1694637.
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  3. Wang Y, Wang Q, Yang M, Li W, Wang L, Fan J. A meta-analysis of the dose-response relationship between aerobic exercise and executive function in children. Front Public Health 2025;13:1608937.
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