Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients
Abstract
:Simple Summary
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Material and Methods
2.1. Facilities and Characteristics of the Assisted Therapy Horses and Patients
2.2. General Structure of the Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions and Data Collection
2.3. Physiological Parameters of the Horses
2.4. Behavioral Parameters of the Horses
2.5. Physiological Parameters of the Patients
2.6. Motor, Cognitive and Perceptual-Sensitive Parameters of the Patients
2.7. Quality of Life Parameters of the Patients and of the Families
2.8. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Physiological and Behavioral Parameters in Horses and in Patients during the Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions
3.2. Changes of the Psychomotor and Emotional Parameters of the Patients after the Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions
3.2.1. Therapists’ Assessment
3.2.2. Family Assessment Surveys
4. Discussion
4.1. Influence of Horse-Patient Interaction on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters in Horses and Patients during the Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions
4.2. Influence of the Equine Assisted Therapy Sessions on the Psychomotor and Emotional Parameters of the Patients and on the Well-Being of the Families
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Herrero, P.; Asensio, A.; García, E.; Marco, A.; Oliván, B.; Ibarz, A.; Gómez-Trullen, E.M.; Casas, R. Study of the therapeutic effects of an advanced hippotherapy simulator in children with cerebral palsy a randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord. 2010, 11, 1–6. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Park, E.; Rha, D.W.; Shin, J.; Kim, S.; Jung, S. Effects of hippotherapy on gross motor function and functional performance of children with cerebral palsy. Yonsei Med. J. 2014, 55, 1736–1742. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Kwon, J.; Chang, H.J.; Sook-Hee, Y.; Young, L.J.; Hye-Yeon, S.; Yun-Hee, K. Effect of hippotherapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial. J. Altern. Complement. Med. 2015, 21, 15–21. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Del Rosario-Montejo, O.; Molina-Rueda, F.; Muñoz-Lasa, S.; Alguacil-Diego, I.M. Efectividad de La Terapia Ecuestre En Niños Con Retraso Psicomotor. Neurologia 2015, 30, 425–432. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Espinosa, L.E. Neurorehabilitation and its Effects on Hippotherapy for Cerebral Palsy Treatment. Rev. Col. Reh. 2016, 15, 58–65. [Google Scholar]
- De Araujo, T.B.; Martins, W.R.; Freitas, M.P.; Camargos, E.; Mota, J.; Safons, M.P. An exploration of equine-assisted therapy to improve balance, functional capacity, and cognition in older adults with Alzheimer disease. J. Geriatr. Phys. Ther. 2019, 42, 155–160. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kraft, K.A.; Weisberg, J.; Finch, M.D.; Nickel, A.; Griffin, K.H.; Barnes, T.L. Hippotherapy in Rehabilitation Care for Children with Neurological Impairments and Developmental Delays: A Case Series. Pediatr. Phys. Ther. 2019, 31, 14–21. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Muñoz-Lasa, S.; Ferriero, G.; Valero, R.; Gomez-Muñiz, F.; Rabini, A.; Varela, E. Effect of therapeutic horseback riding on balance and gait of people with multiple sclerosis. Giomale Ital. Med. Lav. Erg. 2011, 33, 462–467. [Google Scholar]
- Zadnikar, M.; Kastrin, A. Effects of hippotherapy and therapeutic horseback riding on postural control or balance in children with cerebral palsy: A meta-analysis. Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 2011, 53, 684–691. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- De la Fuente, A.J. Efectos de las terapias ecuestres en personas con parálisis cerebral. Rev. Española Discapac. (REDIS) 2017, 5, 171–184. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Davis, E.; Davies, B.; Wolfe, R.; Raadsveld, R.; Heine, B.; Thomason, P.; Dobson, F.; Graham, H.K. A randomized controlled trial of the impact of therapeutic horse riding on the quality of life, health, and function of children with cerebral palsy. Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 2009, 51, 111–119. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kaiser, L.; Heleski, C.R.; Siegford, J.; Smith, K.A. Stress-related behaviors among horses used in a therapeutic riding program. J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2006, 228, 39–45. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- McDonnell, S. A Practical Field Guide to Horse Behavior: The Equid Ethogram; The Blood-Horse Inc.: Lexington, SC, USA, 2003; pp. 33–46, 74, 92–95, 110–112, 1187. [Google Scholar]
- Waring, G.H. Horse Behavior, 2nd ed.; Noyes Publications, William Andrew Publishing: Norwich, NY, USA, 2003; pp. 41–47, 118, 120, 133, 144–148, 157, 270–284, 331, 350–357, 369–384. [Google Scholar]
- Houpt, K.A.; Eggleston, A.; Kunkle, K.; Houpt, T.R. Effect of water restriction on equine behaviour and physiology. Equine Vet. J. 2000, 32, 341–344. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Weeks, J.; Beck, A.M. Equine agitation behaviors. Equine Pract. 1996, 18, 23–24. [Google Scholar]
- McKinney, C.; Mueller, M.; Frank, N. Effects of Therapeutic Riding on Measures of Stress in Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2015, 35, 922–928. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Merkies, K.; McKechnie, M.J.; Zakrajsek, E. Behavioural and Physiological Responses of Therapy Horses to Mentally Traumatized Humans. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2018, 205, 61–67. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Malinowski, K.; Chi Yee, J.M.; Birks, E.; Durando, M.; Hossein, P.N.; Cavaiola, A.; McKeever, K. The Effects of Equine-Assisted Activities Therapy on Plasma Cortisol and Oxytocin Concentrations and Heart Rate Variability in Horses and Measures of Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2018, 64, 17–26. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mendonça, T.; Bienboire-Frosini, C.; Menuge, F.; Leclercq, J.; Lafont-Lecuelle, C.; Arroub, S.; Pageat, P. The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy on Equine Behavioral and Physiological Responses. Animals 2019, 9, 409. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Velásquez, J.C.; Mendoza, G.; Corrales, J.D.; Parra, M.A.; Medina, A.C.; Izquierdo, C.D.; González, J.P. Asociación de Medidas Morfométricas Con Grasa En El Anca En Caballos de Salto En Una Escuela Ecuestre de Bogotá. Rev.Med. Vet. 2016, 32, 67. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hall, E.J.; Carter, A.J.; Stevenson, A.G.; Hall, C. Establishing a Yard-Specific Normal Rectal Temperature Reference Range for Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2019, 74, 51–55. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Garrido, P. Cardiología Equina: Métodos de intervención cardíaca. Profesión Vet. 2009, 15, 59–60. [Google Scholar]
- Guerrero, P.A.; Portocarrero, L.; Mutis, C.A.; Ramírez, J. Determinación de Frecuencia Cardiaca, Frecuencia Respiratoria, Lactato Deshidrogenasa, Creatinkinasa y Ácido Láctico En Caballos Durante Competencia de Salto En La Sabana de Bogotá. Med. Vet. 2009, 17, 37–52. [Google Scholar]
- Gleerup, K.; Forkman, B.; Lindegaard, C.; Andersen, P. An equine pain face. Vet. Anaesth. Analg. 2015, 42, 103–114. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Bender, R. Hipoterapia, 1st ed.; Edit. Mediterráneo Ltd.: Santiago, Chile, 2011; pp. 80, 81, 97–101, 102, 187–210. [Google Scholar]
- Stucke, D.; Grosse-Ruse, M.; Lebelt, D. Measuring Heart Rate Variability in Horses to Investigate the Autonomic Nervous System Activity—Pros and Cons of Different Methods. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2015, 166, 1–10. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Duval, F.; González, F.; Rabia, H. Neurobiología del Estrés Neurobiology of Stress. Rev. Chil. Neuro-Psiquiat. 2010, 48, 307–331. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zilberschtein, J.; Ayala, M.D.; Balastegui, M.; Cuenca, L.; Cerón, J.J. Estudio y evaluación de parámetros de estrés en caballos de equinoterapia. In Actas del XXII Congreso Internacional de la Sociedad Española de Cirugía Veterinaria; Universidad de Murcia: Murcia, Spain, 2017. [Google Scholar]
- Naber, A.; Kreuzer, L.; Zink, R.; Millesi, E.; Palme, R.; Hediger, K.; Glenk, L.M. Heart Rate, Heart Rate Variability and Salivary Cortisol as Indicators of Arousal and Synchrony in Clients with Intellectual Disability, Horses and Therapist during Equine-Assisted Interventions. Pet Behav. Sci. 2019, 7, 17–23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Frank, A.; McCloskey, S.; Dole, R.L. Effect of Hippotherapy on Perceived Self-Competence and Participation in a Child with Cerebral Palsy. Pediatr. Phys. Ther. 2011, 23, 301–308. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Horse | Breed | A | Sex | W | H | TP | BL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | PSB | 20 | M | 400 | 1.51 | 1.77 | 1.50 |
2 | PSB | 17 | F | 450 | 1.55 | 1.94 | 1.53 |
Patient | Diagnosis | A | Sex | W | H |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | General congenital hypotonia | 2 | M | 10 | 0.80 |
2 | Duchenne muscular dystrophy | 9 | M | 38.5 | 1.22 |
3 | Cerebral palsy | 9 | F | 32 | 1.30 |
Phases | Anticipatory Phase | Interaction Patient-Horse on the Ground | Interaction Patient-Horse on Horseback | Recovery Phase |
---|---|---|---|---|
Duration | 15 min | 30 min | 30 min | 15 min |
Role of the patients | The patients arrive at the therapy area. The therapy area is a covered area where conditions of safety and comfort are guaranteed for both horses and patients. In this phase, the therapy team explains to the patients the activities to be performed and prepare the material is going to be used during the session | Several activities that facilitate close contact between the patient and the horse were carried out in this phase, such as caressing and brushing, as well as several activities aimed at taking care of the horse’s basic needs, such as providing food and water. Other activities varied depending on the patient, but were mainly aimed at improving the following aspects: trunk control and body balance through brushing on unstable planes; fine motor skills through the performance of different horse hairstyles; oculo-manual coordination through manipulation of the horse’s clothing; the communicative through the interpretation of the horse’s signals and the elaboration of coherent responses to its demands; executive functions through planning, organization, decision-making and emotional management activities. These activities also served as preparation for riding phase, since these enhance the effect of assisted therapy on the horse. | The back riding technique was used in this phase. This technique is performed in such a way that the therapist sits behind the patient to provide support and align the patient. This technique improves the stability, the control and the postural hygiene. of the patient since the movements of the horse have a beneficial effect on these parameters. | After getting off the horse, the patients stay a little time in the center to recover from the activity. |
Role of the horses | The horses are taken out of the box and taken to the therapy area. In this area the horses must have all their needs covered to guarantee a comfortable working climate, so they have water and forage on demand. To guarantee the safety of the patients and ensure a controlled session, the horses remain tied with a bridle and branch, but with sufficient head opening and branch distance, so that they can forage. | Horses interact with the patients, responding to the stimuli they receive from the care activities and any other activity specifically programmed by the therapeutic team for each patient. | The horse is guided towards the working track, either by the patient (accompanied by the therapist), or by the horse-trained guide. The patients access a platform placed close to the horse, through a ramp or ladder. From the platform, the patients easily get on the horses. The horses were mainly ridden at the walk in the track. Horses were led around the track with the help of a horse-trained guide. | The horses finish the activity on the track and return to their resting area, where they can rest and access food and some water. Thus, they can recover from the activity. |
Data collection | At the beginning of this phase | At the end of this phase | At the end of this phase. | At the end of this phase |
Physiological Parameters | Phases | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Control | Anticipatory | HP Ground | HP Riding | Recovery | |
SBP | 75.27 a ± 1.67 | 110.19 b ± 5.31 | 100.96 bc ± 3.16 | 92.59 ac ± 3.53 | 88.56 ac ± 3.52 |
DBP | 48.40 a ± 3.31 | 66.52 b ± 4.73 | 60.77 ab ± 2.14 | 56.93 ab ± 2.25 | 53.78 a ± 2.05 |
T | 37.27 b ±0.11 | 36.84 a ± 0.06 | 36.88 a ± 0.04 | 36.88 a ± 0.05 | 36.77 a ± 0.06 |
Behavioral Signs | Phases | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Anticipatory | HP Ground | HP Riding | Recovery | |
Change of postural expression | 6.73 a ± 3.27 | 2.88 a ± 2.11 | 1.92 a ± 1.92 | 5.77 a ± 4 |
Kick the ground | 38.46 a ± 3.98 | 10.58 b ± 3.71 | 0 b ± 0 | 14.42 b ± 5.91 |
Head lowered | 18.27 a ± 2.21 | 1.92 b ± 1.33 | 0 b ± 0 | 0.96 b ± 0.96 |
Ears back | 3.26 a ± 1.79 | 1.09 a ± 1.09 | 2.17 a ± 1.50 | 1.09 a ± 1.09 |
Ears in a listening attitude | 23.08 a ± 2.37 | 15.38 ac ± 2.8 | 30.77 b ± 2.88 | 7.69 c ± 3.33 |
Gentle head shake | 1.92 a ± 1.33 | 0.96 a ± 0.96 | 0.96 a ± 0.96 | 0.96 a ± 0.96 |
Physiological Parameters | Phases | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Control | Anticipatory | HP Ground | HP Riding | Recovery | Sleeping | |
O | 97.36 a ± 0.45 | 94.39 a ± 1.23 | 94.86 a ±1.14 | 95.92 a ± 0.83 | 97.92 a ± 0.26 | - |
T | 35.84 a ± 0.26 | 36.26 b ± 0.05 | 36.18 ab ± 0.06 | 36.20 ab ± 0.03 | 36.18 ab ± 0.07 | |
LS | 457 a ± 47.7 | - | - | - | - | 496.7 a ± 23.5 |
DS | 95.7 a ± 10.4 | - | - | - | - | 120.3 a ± 14.5 |
Influence of the Equine Assisted Therapy on the Improvement of Different Parameters of the Patients, According to the Surveys. | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S | I | A | T | C | G | FI | NFI | M | E | IM | AC | SE |
30 ± 30 | 30 ± 30 | 40 ± 40 | 100 ± 0 | 100 ± 0 | 100 ± 0 | 33.33 ± 17.64 | 70 ± 30 | 53.33 ± 6.67 | 46.67 ± 24.04 | 53.33 ± 26.67 | 46.67 ± 24.04 | 33.33 ± 17.64 |
Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on the Quality of Life of the Families | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
s | exp | if | nif | ns | em | p |
66.67 ± 33.33 | 66.67 ± 33.33 | 66.67 ± 33.33 | 86.67 ± 13.33 | 66.67 ± 33.33 | 66.67 ± 33.33 | 66.67± 33.33 |
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. |
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Ayala, M.D.; Carrillo, A.; Iniesta, P.; Ferrer, P. Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients. Animals 2021, 11, 3527. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123527
Ayala MD, Carrillo A, Iniesta P, Ferrer P. Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients. Animals. 2021; 11(12):3527. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123527
Chicago/Turabian StyleAyala, María Dolores, Andrea Carrillo, Pilar Iniesta, and Pedro Ferrer. 2021. "Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients" Animals 11, no. 12: 3527. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123527
APA StyleAyala, M. D., Carrillo, A., Iniesta, P., & Ferrer, P. (2021). Pilot Study of the Influence of Equine Assisted Therapy on Physiological and Behavioral Parameters Related to Welfare of Horses and Patients. Animals, 11(12), 3527. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123527