College
College of Health Sciences
Department
Nursing
Graduate Level
Doctoral
Graduate Program/Concentration
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Publication Date
2023
DOI
10.25883/1fm2-ay25
Abstract
Military members, whether active duty, retired, or separated from service, are at increased risk for developing physical and mental disabilities due to their military service, especially if combat was involved. Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is a therapeutic intervention that uses horses, trained equine therapists, and mental health professionals in a non-riding environment. Horses respond to very slight changes in their environment, and these responses may help to provide insight into how EAP patients communicate, set boundaries, and confront issues created by TBI and PTSD-related injuries.
The purpose of this study was to ascertain the efficacy of equine therapy on military members’ psychological distress, insomnia, PTSD symptoms, feelings of well-being, heart rate and pain.
A convenience sample of service members suffering from PTSD and/or TBI that are participating in EAP completed surveys and heart rate measurement. The intervention, EAP, is provided to service members through a nonprofit therapeutic equine program. The survey included the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), the numeric pain assessment scale (NPAS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the PTSD checklist (PCL-5).
Significant improvements (p = < .001) were noted in post-EAP scores on K10, WEMWBS, NPAS, and PCL-5 assessments as well as post-EAP heart rates. ISI scores increased (p = < .001), however.
In conclusion, EAP is a therapeutic intervention that can be used in treatment of service members with PTSD and/or TBI due to reduction in heart rate, pain, psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and increased feelings of well-being.
Keywords
Equine therapy, Military, Veterans, Service members, Mental health, PTSD, TBI
Disciplines
Animal-Assisted Therapy | Community Health | Mental and Social Health
Files
Download Full Text (938 KB)
Recommended Citation
Freisenbruch, Kimberly and Rutledge, Carolyn, "Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) in the Treatment of Military Service Members with PTSD and/or TBI: A Pilot Study" (2023). College of Health Sciences Posters. 6.
https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gradposters2023_healthsciences/6