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Frontiers in veterinary science2023; 10; 1085768; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1085768

The impact on physical performance, pain and psychological wellbeing of chronic low back pain patients during 12-weeks of equine- facilitated therapy intervention.

Abstract: Equine - Facilitated Therapy (EFT), an equine environment, and horses themselves can meet many physical and mental health needs beyond diagnostic categories. The horse's ability to produce a walk-like movement and the participant's ability to connect to non-judgemental living creatures, both of which can benefit participation and construct a positive self-image for chronic pain patients. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of EFT on perceived physical performance, level of pain, pain acceptance, depression and anxiety, and quality of life within a 12-week intervention for chronic low back pain (LBP) patients. Twenty-two LBP patients received EFT led by physical therapists as part of the public health services. A mixed method design combining quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to detect the outcome of the intervention. The data were collected via questionnaires, interviews, and patient data repositories. An interview was voluntary for participants and included questions of one's health, visits to the pain clinic during 6 months and an open-ended question about the intervention. The coding of the data was completed independently by two persons using thematizing. The welfare of the attending horses was taken into consideration in basic training and for the research setting. Statistical analysis and paired t-tests detected the changes during a 12-week intervention. The results suggest a significant increase in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) levels of satisfaction with self-selected performances. The Raitasalo's version of Beck's Depression Inventory (RBDI) level of anxiety and Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) did not change, whereas a decline in the amount of perceived RBDI depression was found combined with increased levels of SF-36 Mental Change Scores and COPM satisfaction with performance. Only two of the 22 participants returned with reoccurring symptoms after 6 months to the pain clinic. The participant interviews revealed three important domains of experience during coding: physical-, psychological-, and social that link to the research question and suggest impact for the recovery from the human-animal interaction.
Copyright © 2023 Mattila-Rautiainen, Venojärvi, Rautiainen and Keski-Valkama.
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Publication Date: 2023-03-14 PubMed ID: 36998640PubMed Central: PMC10043450DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1085768Google 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 article examines the effect of a 12-week equine-facilitated therapy (EFT) intervention on the physical and psychological wellbeing of patients with chronic low back pain. The study found that EFT leads to a significant increase in the satisfaction levels of patients with their self-selected performances.

Methodology

  • The study involved 22 patients with chronic low back pain, who received EFT as part of their treatment plan.
  • The therapy was administered by physical therapists as part of the public health services.
  • A combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to assess the outcome of the intervention.
  • Information was collected via questionnaires, interviews, and patient data repositories.
  • Participants’ interviews were not mandatory and addressed aspects like their health, visits made to the pain clinic during the six-month intervention, and an open-ended question about the intervention.
  • Data coding was carried out independently by two persons using a thematizing approach.

Animal Welfare Considerations and Statistical Tests

  • The welfare of the horses used for the therapy was considered in both the basic training and the research settings.
  • Paired t-tests were used for statistical analysis to identify changes during the 12-week intervention period.

Findings

  • At the end of the study, the researchers found a significant increase in the patients’ levels of satisfaction with self-selected performances (measured by COPM).
  • However, the levels of anxiety (measured by RBDI) and pain acceptance (measured by CPAQ) remained the same throughout the treatment.
  • There was a decline in the number of perceived depression (measured by RBDI) along with an increase in SF-36 Mental Change Scores and COPM satisfaction with performance.
  • Only 2 out of 22 patients reported recurring symptoms after six months of leaving the pain clinic.
  • The interviews highlighted three key areas – physical, psychological, and social – that illustrated the impact of the human-animal interaction on the recovery process.

Conclusion

  • The study indicates that EFT can be an effective treatment option for improving the physical performance and psychological wellbeing of patients suffering from chronic low back pain.

Cite This Article

APA
Mattila-Rautiainen S, Venojärvi M, Rautiainen H, Keski-Valkama A. (2023). 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, 10, 1085768. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1085768

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 1085768

Researcher Affiliations

Mattila-Rautiainen, Sanna
  • Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Venojärvi, Mika
  • Sports and Exercise Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Rautiainen, Heta
  • Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Upsala, Sweden.
Keski-Valkama, Alice
  • Vanha Vaasa Hospital, Vaasa, Finland.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The handling editor declared a past co-authorship with the author SM-R.

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