Equine-Assisted Interventions and Physical Health in Older Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Equine-assisted interventions (EAI) are recognized for their efficacy in younger populations.
• The application of EAI for promoting physical health in older adults is an emerging therapeutic area.
• This study investigates the impact of EAI on the physical well-being of individuals aged 60 and above.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a meta-analysis evaluating the effects of EAI on the physical health of older adults.
• To synthesize existing research on EAI's impact on gait, muscular activity, and balance in this demographic.
• To identify the potential of EAI as a therapeutic intervention for geriatric physical health.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases.
• Included studies focused on EAI interventions targeting the physical domain in adults over 60 years old.
• Study quality was assessed using RoB2 and ROBINS-I, with meta-analysis measures calculated including 95% CIs and heterogeneity exploration.

Main Results:

• Six studies involving 150 healthy older adults (107 female) were included in the meta-analysis.
• Participants undergoing EAI programs (mean 20.67 sessions) demonstrated significant improvements in gait (SMD = 0.93) and muscular activity (SMD = 0.90).
• A trend towards improved balance was observed (SMD = 0.44), though not statistically significant (p=0.06).

Conclusions:

• This meta-analysis provides promising evidence for the positive effects of EAI on the physical health of older adults.
• EAI significantly enhances gait and muscular activity in this population.
• Further research is recommended to solidify these findings and support the broader implementation of EAI for geriatric physical health.