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Home / Equine Research Bank / Community Ment Health J / Therapeutic horseback riding for ACT patients with schizophr...
Community mental health journal2011; 49(1); 121-126; doi: 10.1007/s10597-011-9457-y

Therapeutic horseback riding for ACT patients with schizophrenia.

Abstract: One form of psychiatric leisure rehabilitation which has only recently been explored for individuals with schizophrenia is Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THBR). This study is the first to examine THBR for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) patients with schizophrenia. A sample of 6 ACT patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who reside in the community and 6 mental health care staff participated in 10 weeks of weekly horseback riding sessions with an experienced THBR instructor. Participating patients, staff and the THBR instructor were qualitatively interviewed at the start, during and at the end of the THBR program and these semi-structured interviews were analyzed for recurrent themes. We found that THBR benefitted this group of patients. In spite of our study's limitations, such as its exploratory nature and the small sample size, it demonstrates that THBR has promise and should be further developed and studied for individuals with schizophrenia.
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Publication Date: 2011-10-21 PubMed ID: 22015959DOI: 10.1007/s10597-011-9457-yGoogle 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 explores the potential benefits of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THBR) as a form of leisure rehabilitation for patients with schizophrenia, under the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) approach.

Objective

The primary objective of the research was to examine the potential benefits of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THBR) for Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

Methodology

  • The study consisted of a small sample size of 6 ACT patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, along with 6 mental health care staff.
  • The sample group participated in weekly horseback riding sessions over a period of 10 weeks, under the guidance of an experienced THBR instructor.
  • Both the participating patients and staff, as well as the THBR instructor, were interviewed before, during, and after the THBR program. These interviews were semi-structured and were later analyzed for recurrent themes.

Findings

  • The study found that the THBR program positively benefited the group of patients involved.
  • The findings suggested that THBR reveals promising potential as a form of leisure rehabilitation in improving the well-being of patients with schizophrenia.

Limitations

  • The authors acknowledge the limitations of their study. Its exploratory nature and the small sample size make it difficult to generalize the findings to a larger population.

Conclusion

Despite the study’s limitations, it highlights the potential benefits of THBR for people with schizophrenia. The authors recommend further development and research in this unexplored field to validate their findings and establish THBR as a viable option in treating schizophrenia.

Cite This Article

APA
Corring D, Lundberg E, Rudnick A. (2011). Therapeutic horseback riding for ACT patients with schizophrenia. Community Ment Health J, 49(1), 121-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9457-y

Publication

Community mental health journal
ISSN: 1573-2789
NlmUniqueID: 0005735
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 1
Pages: 121-126

Researcher Affiliations

Corring, Deborah
  • Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. elunddbe2@uwo.ca
Lundberg, Erica
    Rudnick, Abraham

      MeSH Terms

      • Adult
      • Animals
      • Community Mental Health Services / methods
      • Equine-Assisted Therapy
      • Female
      • Horses
      • Humans
      • Interviews as Topic
      • Male
      • Middle Aged
      • Program Evaluation
      • Psychotic Disorders / psychology
      • Psychotic Disorders / rehabilitation
      • Psychotic Disorders / therapy
      • Qualitative Research
      • Schizophrenia / rehabilitation
      • Schizophrenia / therapy
      • Schizophrenic Psychology
      • Surveys and Questionnaires
      • Treatment Outcome

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 5 times.
      1. 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).
        doi: 10.3390/ijerph20146377pubmed: 37510609google scholar: lookup
      2. 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.
        doi: 10.1177/2470547021991556pubmed: 33644617google scholar: lookup
      3. Malchrowicz-Mośko E, Wieliński D, Adamczewska K. Perceived Benefits for Mental and Physical Health and Barriers to Horseback Riding Participation. The Analysis among Professional and Amateur Athletes. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 May 25;17(10).
        doi: 10.3390/ijerph17103736pubmed: 32466221google scholar: lookup
      4. Lepy C, Letranchant A, Aniorte JL, Bedos J, Hotchkin R, Corcos M, Robin M, Piot MA. Equine therapy in the management of teenagers with anorexia nervosa: a qualitative study. Eat Weight Disord 2025 Aug 16;30(1):66.
        doi: 10.1007/s40519-025-01724-5pubmed: 40817957google scholar: lookup
      5. Machová K, Juríčková V, Kasparová A, Petrová K, Sládková B, Svobodová I. An evaluation of the effect of equine-facilitated psychotherapy on patients with substance use disorders. PLoS One 2023;18(6):e0286867.
        doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286867pubmed: 37379304google scholar: lookup
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