Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Therapy (TF-EAT) for Veterans With PTSD

Not Applicable

Completed

Brief Summary: This study seeks to examine feasibility, acceptability, safety, and preliminary efficacy of Equine-Assisted Therapy for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (EAT-PTSD). While several well-studied, validated treatments for PTSD exist, some individuals find these treatments ill-suited, ineffective, or undesirable. EAT is an alternative therapy widely used by organizations, such as PATH International Equine Services, that endorse its effectiveness for treating a variety of mental health issues. These claims have drawn criticism because the published research contains glaring methodological flaws, making it difficult to assess how effective these therapies actually are (Anestis et al., 2014). Equine-assisted therapies present a unique treatment modality that might effectively treat PTSD, particularly for individuals who have difficulty with other treatment modalities. In EAT, a psychotherapist and equine specialist work together to help the patients negotiate interactions with a horse using structured interventions or activities.

Detailed Description: In this pilot study the investigators will develop the EAT intervention and determine whether research methods (evaluation interviews, assessment measures, videotaping procedures) are acceptable to participants. Specifically, the investigators will focus on issues such as session length, appropriateness of the "content" for treatment of PTSD, ordering of session content, adherence to the manual of the equine therapeutic team (based on observations made during supervision and feedback from the consultants), and will detail logistics of data collection and how best to record the sessions (camera angles, etc.).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria

Between the ages of 18 and 70
Current DSM-5 diagnosis of PTSD as determined by a) full criteria met on CAPS, and b) clinical assessment
Able to give consent, fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria

History of psychiatric diagnosis of psychotic disorder, unstable bipolar disorder
Elevated depression of clinical concern and/or score of >25 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression
At elevated risk for suicide based on history and current mental state
History of substance/alcohol use disorder at severe level within the past six months, and current diagnosis of substance/alcohol use disorder at a moderate level within past two months
Fear of horses or other large animals
Orthopedic or other physical conditions and/or limitations that prevent people from walking unassisted and/or walking freely in the ring.

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
TF-EAT	TF-EAT	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change From Baseline in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale at 8 Weeks	8 weeks	Change in symptoms of PTSD as assessed by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5, severity rating ranging from 0-80 with higher scores indicating more severe PTSD) in a clinical interview

Secondary Outcome Measures