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Citation |
Nagrath J. J. Veterans Stud. 2020; 6(2): 1-19. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2020, Virginia Tech Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
A unique approach in trauma-focused psychotherapy is the evolving field of Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT), a nontraditional, experiential methodology centered on the therapeutic benefits intrinsic in equines. While there is a plethora of anecdotal and qualitative studies showing effectiveness, evidence-based studies are limited, and those that exist have design and implementation flaws such as small sample size, no control group, lack of counselor-administered curriculum and/or assessments, leaving large empirical gaps. To address these gaps, a quasi-experimental nonrandomized control group design was implemented for this study. Fifty veterans participated with 25 assigned to each, intervention and control groups. Veterans in the intervention group completed 3-hour weekly EAT sessions for 10 weeks and those in the control group continued with treatment as usual. Standardized psychometric assessments were PTSD Checklist--Military Version (PCL-M) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy--Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp). The ANCOVA revealed no significant difference in mean changes for PCL-M, F(1, 43) = 3.255, p =.078, partial η2 =.070, which suggests a medium-small effect size, as well as for the FACIT-Sp, F(1, 43) =.368, p =.547, partial η2 =.008, which suggests a small effect size. However, paired samples t-test showed significant reduction in PTSD symptom scores for intervention group when compared to control group. While no conclusion regarding efficacy can be made, the results may be a useful lens to further examine the potential benefits of incorporating a multidimensional, biopsychosocial-spiritual model which could leverage significant outcomes of holistic health for veterans with PTSD symptomology. |