OBJECTIVE: We theorized that ability to direct and control a horse will lead to a sense of empowerment, facilitate a relationship between horse and veteran, lead to a decrease in anxiety, and improve physical and social functioning. METHODS: This case study utilizes the Connection methodology: nonverbal language of the horse in a predictable, sequential, and repeatable method. Psychological testing occurred immediately pre- and post-Connection with follow-up occurring at 2, 4, 6, and 12 wks post-Connection. PARTICIPANT: Twice-deployed combat medic who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). SETTING: Saratoga Springs, New York. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II); Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-C); the Response to Stressful Experiences Scale (RSES); the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI); and the Modified Social Support Survey (MSSS). RESULTS: The participant demonstrated significant improvement in measures of psychological functioning (eg, over 12 wks); both PCL-C and RSES scores decreased 58% and 44%, respectively. Participant further reported an increase in sleep quality. CONCLUSION: The results of this case study strongly support the potential for the intervention and indicate the need for a controlled, randomized study that might more stringently investigate the impact of the intervention.
OBJECTIVE: We theorized that ability to direct and control a horse will lead to a sense of empowerment, facilitate a relationship between horse and veteran, lead to a decrease in anxiety, and improve physical and social functioning. METHODS: This case study utilizes the Connection methodology: nonverbal language of the horse in a predictable, sequential, and repeatable method. Psychological testing occurred immediately pre- and post-Connection with follow-up occurring at 2, 4, 6, and 12 wks post-Connection. PARTICIPANT: Twice-deployed combat medic who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). SETTING: Saratoga Springs, New York. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II); Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-C); the Response to Stressful Experiences Scale (RSES); the Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI); and the Modified Social Support Survey (MSSS). RESULTS: The participant demonstrated significant improvement in measures of psychological functioning (eg, over 12 wks); both PCL-C and RSES scores decreased 58% and 44%, respectively. Participant further reported an increase in sleep quality. CONCLUSION: The results of this case study strongly support the potential for the intervention and indicate the need for a controlled, randomized study that might more stringently investigate the impact of the intervention.
Authors: Shay Arnon; Prudence W Fisher; Alison Pickover; Ari Lowell; J Blake Turner; Anne Hilburn; Jody Jacob-McVey; Bonnie E Malajian; Debra G Farber; Jane F Hamilton; Allan Hamilton; John C Markowitz; Yuval Neria Journal: Mil Med Date: 2020-06-08 Impact factor: 1.437
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