The Saratoga WarHorse project: a case study of the treatment of psychological distress in a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Abstract: We theorized that ability to direct and control a horse will lead to a sense of empowerment, facilitate a relationship between horse and veteran, lead to a decrease in anxiety, and improve physical and social functioning. Methods: This case study utilizes the Connection methodology: nonverbal language of the horse in a predictable, sequential, and repeatable method. Psychological testing occurred immediately pre- and post-Connection with follow-up occurring at 2, 4, 6, and 12 wks post-Connection. Methods: Twice-deployed combat medic who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Methods: Saratoga Springs, New York. Methods: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II); Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-C); the Response to Stressful Experiences Scale (RSES); the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI); and the Modified Social Support Survey (MSSS). Results: The participant demonstrated significant improvement in measures of psychological functioning (eg, over 12 wks); both PCL-C and RSES scores decreased 58% and 44%, respectively. Participant further reported an increase in sleep quality. Conclusions: The results of this case study strongly support the potential for the intervention and indicate the need for a controlled, randomized study that might more stringently investigate the impact of the intervention.
Publication Date: 2013-09-27 PubMed ID: 24067322
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Summary
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This research presents a case study of the Saratoga WarHorse project, a program using a horse-veteran relationship to help reduce anxiety and improve the physical and social function in a veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The study showed significant improvements in the veteran’s psychological functioning through various measures and highlights the need for further controlled investigations.
Research Methodology and Participant
- The study takes a case study approach, focusing on one participant – a combat medic who served twice in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The location of the study is Saratoga Springs, New York.
- The methodology employed by this study is the Connection methodology. This involves using the nonverbal language of the horse in a predictable, sequential, and repeatable way to facilitate a connection between the horse and the veteran.
- Several tools were used to evaluate the psychological state of the participant. These included the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-C), the Response to Stressful Experiences Scale (RSES), the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI), and the Modified Social Support Survey (MSSS).
- The psychological tests were conducted immediately before and after the Connection, with regular follow-ups taking place at intervals of 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks after the Connection.
Findings of the Study
- The veteran partaking in the study manifested a considerable improvement in psychological functioning metrics over the course of 12 weeks.
- The PCL-C and RSES, which measure posttraumatic stress disorder and response to stressful experiences, respectively, each recorded decreases – 58% and 44% accordingly.
- Additionally, the participant reported an increase in the quality of his sleep.
Conclusions
- The promising results of this case study powerfully support the potential for the Saratoga WarHorse project as an intervention method in aiding veterans from combat zones dealing with psychological distress.
- The researchers emphasize the need for a controlled, randomized study to further investigate the full impact of the intervention in a more rigorous manner.
Cite This Article
APA
Nevins R, Finch S, Hickling EJ, Barnett SD.
(2013).
The Saratoga WarHorse project: a case study of the treatment of psychological distress in a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Adv Mind Body Med, 27(4), 22-25.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
- Horses
- Humans
- Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Quality of Life
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
- Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Veterans / psychology
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Marchand WR. 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 2023 Jul 16;20(14).
- Kearney BE, Lanius RA. The brain-body disconnect: A somatic sensory basis for trauma-related disorders.. Front Neurosci 2022;16:1015749.
- Gettings RD, Kirtley J, Wilson-Menzfeld G, Oxburgh GE, Farrell D, Kiernan MD. Exploring the Role of Social Connection in Interventions With Military Veterans Diagnosed With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: Systematic Narrative Review.. Front Psychol 2022;13:873885.
- Hediger K, Wagner J, Künzi P, Haefeli A, Theis F, Grob C, Pauli E, Gerger H. Effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions for children and adults with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021;12(1):1879713.
- Marchand WR, Andersen SJ, Smith JE, Hoopes KH, Carlson JK. Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current State, Challenges and Future Directions.. Chronic Stress (Thousand Oaks) 2021 Jan-Dec;5:2470547021991556.
- Arnon S, Fisher PW, Pickover A, Lowell A, Turner JB, Hilburn A, Jacob-McVey J, Malajian BE, Farber DG, Hamilton JF, Hamilton A, Markowitz JC, Neria Y. Equine-Assisted Therapy for Veterans with PTSD: Manual Development and Preliminary Findings.. Mil Med 2020 Jun 8;185(5-6):e557-e564.
- 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.
- Naste TM, Price M, Karol J, Martin L, Murphy K, Miguel J, Spinazzola J. Equine Facilitated Therapy for Complex Trauma (EFT-CT).. J Child Adolesc Trauma 2018;11(3):289-303.
- O'Haire ME, Guérin NA, Kirkham AC. Animal-Assisted Intervention for trauma: a systematic literature review.. Front Psychol 2015;6:1121.
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