A Pilot Replication Study of Implementing an Equine-Assisted Services Program Within a VA Residential Substance Use...

Area of Science:

• Mental Health
• Substance Use Disorders
• Complementary Therapies

Background:

• Veterans exhibit high rates of substance use disorders and mental health conditions, including PTSD.
• Existing treatments often face high attrition and residual symptoms.
• Complementary approaches may improve engagement and outcomes for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate a previous study on the safety, feasibility, and preliminary outcomes of an equine-assisted intervention for veterans.
• To examine the impact of multiple intervention sessions on treatment outcomes.

Main Methods:

• 94 veterans participated in 1-6 sessions of equine-assisted learning and psychotherapy.
• Pre- and post-session measures included affect, anxiety, and craving scales.
• Statistical analyses included Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, paired t-tests, and generalized linear mixed-effects models to assess dosage effects.

Main Results:

• The intervention was confirmed as safe and feasible for veterans.
• Significant pre- to post-session improvements were observed in negative affect (sessions 1-3), positive affect, anxiety, and craving (sessions 1-2).
• Generalized linear mixed-effects models did not reveal statistically significant predictors for dosage effects.

Conclusions:

• Equine-assisted services are safe, feasible, and demonstrate short-term benefits for veterans in residential substance abuse treatment.
• A randomized controlled trial is warranted to establish causality and evaluate long-term benefits.
• Further dose-response studies are needed, as benefits did not increase beyond two sessions.