Effects of Equine Assisted Activities on Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Effects of Equine Assisted Activities on Veterans With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

The study will examine the effects of eight weeks of equine assisted activities (EAA) on co-regulation, basal physiological values, and symptom severity in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Heart rate, respiration rate, surface electromyography (EMG) and plasma concentrations of cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and oxytocin will be measured at rest and during dyadic interaction tasks (human to human or human to horse) to assess effects of EAA on these measures. Additionally, standard and regularly used questionnaires will be used to monitor PTSD symptom severity during the study and 6-month follow-up period. EAA is expected to lower PTSD symptom severity, and mitigate other physiological changes associated with PTSD.

Inclusion Criteria:

• male
• was deployed and experienced combat in Iraq or Afghanistan
• between 18 and 65 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• female
• amputation
• severe traumatic brain injury
• schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, or substance dependence in the last 3 months
• pacemaker
• allergies to horses
• previous enrollment in equine assisted activities or psychotherapy in an equine environment