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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Bodyw Mov Ther / The horse as the healer-a study of riding in patients with b...
Journal of bodywork and movement therapies2007; 13(1); 43-52; doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.06.002

The horse as the healer-a study of riding in patients with back pain.

Abstract: A total of 24 patients, considerably disabled in daily activities by back pain, participated in an Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) programme. The patients also had several health problems in addition to their current pain. The programme emphasised the principles of body awareness. The study is aimed at investigating not only whether symptom reduction would be achieved, but also at identifying qualities of EAT that were particularly beneficial for the patients' well being. The study was performed according to action research principles. The treatment reduced the pain and lessened other symptoms. The EAT also had an influence on the patients' self-image and a positive chain of effects was observed. The consequences were described according to four dimensions; the dimension of body awareness, competence, emotion and environment. The dimensions were interrelated having the simultaneous influence of a transition process and symptom reduction towards health.
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Publication Date: 2007-08-24 PubMed ID: 19118792DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.06.002Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 investigates the effects of Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) on patients suffering from back pain and other health issues, finding it helped not only in symptom reduction, but also improved patients’ self-image and overall well-being.

Objectives and Methodology of the study

  • The study was conducted on a group of 24 patients who were significantly disabled by back pain and also dealing with various other health problems.
  • The therapeutic method used was Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT), a holistic therapy involving interaction with horses, which is assumed to aid in physical healing and emotional well being.
  • The purpose of this research was twofold: firstly, to measure whether this therapy would effectively reduce the patients’ symptoms, and secondly, to identify specific qualities of EAT that significantly improved the patients’ well-being.
  • To arrive at these conclusions, the researchers used action research principles, a research methodology that involves actively participating in a change situation, simultaneously conducting research.

Findings of the study

  • The study found that EAT led to a reduction in the patients’ pain and alleviated other symptoms they suffered from.
  • It also observed that the therapy had a positive impact on the patients’ self-image, triggering a chain of beneficial effects.
  • Results were reported in terms of four dimensions: body awareness, competence, emotion, and environment. These dimensions were found to interact, influencing both the process of adaptation and the reduction of symptoms.

Conclusion

  • The findings suggest that EAT not only contributes to a reduction in physical symptoms such as back pain, but also aids in improving the emotional well-being of the patients.
  • This study implies Equine Assisted Therapy might be a useful technique in holistic patient care, especially for those dealing with chronic pain and disability.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms of EAT and how it could be best applied in therapeutic settings.

Cite This Article

APA
Håkanson M, Möller M, Lindström I, Mattsson B. (2007). The horse as the healer-a study of riding in patients with back pain. J Bodyw Mov Ther, 13(1), 43-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.06.002

Publication

Journal of bodywork and movement therapies
ISSN: 1532-9283
NlmUniqueID: 9700068
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Pages: 43-52

Researcher Affiliations

Håkanson, Margareta
  • Department of Public Health and Community Medicine/Primary Health Care, The Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, PB 454, SE-405 30 Göteborg, Sweden. margareta.hakanson@comhem.se
Möller, Margareta
    Lindström, Ingalill
      Mattsson, Bengt

        MeSH Terms

        • Adolescent
        • Adult
        • Animals
        • Anxiety
        • Attitude to Health
        • Emotions
        • Exercise Therapy / methods
        • Female
        • Horses
        • Humans
        • Low Back Pain / psychology
        • Low Back Pain / rehabilitation
        • Low Back Pain / therapy
        • Male
        • Middle Aged
        • Neck Pain / psychology
        • Neck Pain / rehabilitation
        • Neck Pain / therapy
        • Self Concept
        • Young Adult

        Citations

        This article has been cited 7 times.
        1. Mattila-Rautiainen S, Venojärvi M, Rautiainen H, Keski-Valkama A. The impact on physical performance, pain and psychological wellbeing of chronic low back pain patients during 12-weeks of equine- facilitated therapy intervention. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1085768.
          doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1085768pubmed: 36998640google scholar: lookup
        2. Taylor EM, Robertson N, Lightfoot CJ, Smith AC, Jones CR. Nature-Based Interventions for Psychological Wellbeing in Long-Term Conditions: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Mar 9;19(6).
          doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063214pubmed: 35328901google scholar: lookup
        3. Collado-Mateo D, Lavín-Pérez AM, Fuentes García JP, García-Gordillo MÁ, Villafaina S. Effects of Equine-Assisted Therapies or Horse-Riding Simulators on Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Medicina (Kaunas) 2020 Aug 31;56(9).
          doi: 10.3390/medicina56090444pubmed: 32878327google scholar: lookup
        4. Kinney AR, Eakman AM, Lassell R, Wood W. Equine-assisted interventions for veterans with service-related health conditions: a systematic mapping review. Mil Med Res 2019 Aug 29;6(1):28.
          doi: 10.1186/s40779-019-0217-6pubmed: 31462305google scholar: lookup
        5. Hemingway A, Carter S, Callaway A, Kavanagh E, Ellis S. An Exploration of the Mechanism of Action of an Equine-Assisted Intervention. Animals (Basel) 2019 May 31;9(6).
          doi: 10.3390/ani9060303pubmed: 31159199google scholar: lookup
        6. Pohl P, Carlsson G, Bunketorp Käll L, Nilsson M, Blomstrand C. A qualitative exploration of post-acute stroke participants' experiences of a multimodal intervention incorporating horseback riding. PLoS One 2018;13(9):e0203933.
          doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203933pubmed: 30235246google scholar: lookup
        7. Johnson RA, Albright DL, Marzolf JR, Bibbo JL, Yaglom HD, Crowder SM, Carlisle GK, Willard A, Russell CL, Grindler K, Osterlind S, Wassman M, Harms N. Effects of therapeutic horseback riding on post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. Mil Med Res 2018 Jan 19;5(1):3.
          doi: 10.1186/s40779-018-0149-6pubmed: 29502529google scholar: lookup
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