Horse Therapy for PTSD

(EAL Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Christina Chrysler, BA

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McMaster University

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric, Neurodevelopmental, Neurological, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 16

Duration: 8 weeks

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This quasi-experiment will evaluate the effectiveness of Equine Assisted Learning for reducing symptoms associated with trauma exposure among public safety personnel (e.g., fire fighters, police, paramedics, etc.).

Do I need to stop my current medications for the horse therapy trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Equine Assisted Learning for PTSD?

Research shows that equine-assisted therapy, which involves interacting with horses, can help reduce PTSD symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Participants in these programs often report feeling more relaxed and connected, and they experience improvements in emotional responses and mindfulness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is horse therapy safe for humans?

Research on horse therapy, including equine-assisted therapy and therapeutic horseback riding, suggests it is generally safe for humans. Participants in studies have reported benefits like relaxation and connection with horses, with few drawbacks such as minor pain or logistical challenges. ^{2 3 4 5 6}

How is equine-assisted therapy unique for treating PTSD?

Equine-assisted therapy for PTSD is unique because it involves interacting with horses through activities like grooming and riding, which can help build trust and improve self-esteem, unlike traditional talk therapies or medications. ^{2 3 5 7 8}

Research Team

Margaret McKinnon, PhD, CPsych

Principal Investigator

McMaster University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses, or emergency dispatchers who have been diagnosed with PTSD. Participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Those with suicidal tendencies or substance use issues that could interfere with participation, or those already in another PTSD intervention study cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

Fully vaccinated against COVID-19

I have been diagnosed with PTSD.

Employed as a police officer, fire fighter, paramedic, nurse, or emergency dispatcher

Exclusion Criteria

Enrollment in another study investigating PTSD intervention efficacy

My substance use does not interfere with my participation in treatments.

Suicidality

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete initial baseline interviews and assessments

1 week

Treatment

Participants in the intervention group receive 16 sessions of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) over 8 weeks

8 weeks

16 sessions (in-person)

Waitlist Control

Participants in the waitlist control group do not receive EAL during this period

8 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in trauma exposure symptom severity and other secondary outcomes

12 weeks

Open-label Extension

Participants in the waitlist control group are offered EAL following their completion of the study

8 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Equine Assisted Learning

Trial Overview The trial is testing Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) to see if it helps reduce symptoms of PTSD in public safety personnel. It's a randomized controlled trial (RCT), meaning participants are randomly assigned to receive EAL or not for comparison.

Participant Groups

Group I: Equine Assisted Learning group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this group will receive 16 sessions of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), facilitated by a trained clinician at Cartier Farms.

Group II: Waitlist control group Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants in the waitlist control group will not receive EAL for the duration of the study.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McMaster University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

University of Saskatchewan

Collaborator

Trials

261

Recruited

156,000+

University of Regina

Collaborator

Trials

59

Recruited

9,100+

Findings from Research

A study involving 63 veterans with PTSD showed that an 8-session group Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT-PTSD) resulted in significant reductions in PTSD and depression symptoms, with improvements lasting up to 3 months after treatment.

The therapy was well-accepted, with only 8% of participants withdrawing, indicating its feasibility and potential as a safe intervention for veterans seeking help for PTSD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Equine-Assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Military Veterans: An Open Trial. Fisher, PW., Lazarov, A., Lowell, A., et al.[2021]

The newly developed eight-session equine-assisted therapy (EAT) protocol for PTSD was found to be safe and well-accepted by military veterans, with no reported adverse events and high treatment completion rates.

Preliminary results indicated significant reductions in PTSD and depressive symptoms post-treatment, with medium to large effect sizes, although these benefits did not persist at the 3-month follow-up.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Equine-Assisted Therapy for Veterans with PTSD: Manual Development and Preliminary Findings. Arnon, S., Fisher, PW., Pickover, A., et al.[2021]

A 6-week equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) program for veterans with PTSD showed similar improvements in PTSD symptoms and resilience compared to standard therapy, suggesting it may be an effective alternative treatment.

While both groups experienced significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and increases in resilience, there was no statistically significant difference in the outcomes between the EAP and control groups, indicating that EAP could be as beneficial as traditional therapies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of equine-assisted psychotherapy in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Burton, LE., Qeadan, F., Burge, MR.[2020]

References

1. Scotland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pilot observational study of horsemanship skills training for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Equine-assisted therapy for anxiety and posttraumatic stress symptoms. [2015]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Equine Assisted Therapy for Patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series Study. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Experiences of Military Veterans in a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Equine-Assisted Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Military Veterans: An Open Trial. [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Equine-assisted interventions for veterans with service-related health conditions: a systematic mapping review. [2023]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Equine-Assisted Therapy for Veterans with PTSD: Manual Development and Preliminary Findings. [2021]

8. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Efficacy of equine-assisted psychotherapy in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. [2020]