Equine-Assisted Therapy in Post-Traumatic-Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Animal-Assisted Interventions

Background:

• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition with limited treatment options.
• Alternative therapies, such as Equine-Assisted Services (EAS), are gaining attention for PTSD management.

Approach:

• A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, to evaluate the efficacy of EAS for PTSD.
• Quantitative analysis included 5 studies using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) for symptom assessment.
• Qualitative synthesis incorporated 10 studies to explore broader impacts of EAS on PTSD.

Key Points:

• Random effects model demonstrated significant reduction in PTSD symptoms with EAS.
• Qualitative synthesis indicated improvements in PTSD symptoms and other relevant variables.
• EAS involve both psychotherapy and occupational therapy components utilizing horses.

Conclusions:

• Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) provide short-term benefits for post-traumatic symptoms.
• Further research and standardization are necessary to optimize EAS protocols for PTSD treatment.