South Middlesex Times

A study by Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers has shown that military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who participated in a program caring for horses, experienced an improved mental outlook and easing of symptoms.

"Some of the most widely used psychotherapy interventions for PTSD ... have shown that about one-third of participants drop out prior to the completion of treatment. This number is even higher in military veteran populations – somewhere between 50 and 60 percent – and therefore, studies looking at alternative treatments are valuable," said Andrea Quinn, Assistant Director, Center for Psychological Services, Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP).

Reporting results of the study in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, researchers said the insights could open the door to a new approach in mental health treatment for veterans, as many currently drop out of conventional therapy programs even though they have been shown to be effective.

"When I think about what our veterans with PTSD struggle with, the results make sense," said Quinn. Veterans with PTSD often dwell in the past and exhibit hypervigilance to their surroundings.

"In the study, the veterans had to perform tasks requiring them to be very much in the moment," Quinn said. "They were keeping themselves calm and centering on the activity that was right in front of them – talking with the horses, brushing them, leading them. This kind of present-moment focus is a skill that can be developed and may help the symptoms of PTSD to feel more manageable."

Ellen Rankins, first author on the paper and a doctoral student at the time, worked closely with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Rankins recruited nine veterans who had served in combat. Six engaged in equine-assisted activity while three continued their normal activities without farm visits as a control group.

"We wanted to understand the effects of interactions on both veterans and horses during eight sessions," said Rankins, now a postdoctoral associate at Colorado State University's Temple Grandin Equine Center.

The study was conducted by Rutgers Equine Science Center as part of New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station's efforts. Special Strides provided facilities, staff, and trained horses for this purpose.

Participants completed questionnaires reporting recent PTSD symptoms such as flashbacks, anger outbursts, feelings of being under attack, and sleep difficulties. Blood tests measured hormone concentrations related to stress response: norepinephrine, epinephrine cortisol; as well as oxytocin which promotes positive feelings.

Some participants had never seen a horse up close before but were taught basic grooming techniques and how to lead a horse using halter equipment. Rankins noted their military training helped ease into these tasks due to familiarity with chain-of-command structures.

Researchers found stress hormone levels decreased over time among participating veterans while oxytocin levels remained constant; conversely control group members maintained high hormone levels throughout without symptom relief reported among participants after program conclusion indicating fewer PTSD symptoms compared against baseline measurements

"Veterans reported more positive interactions starting week three retaining changes through session end," Rankins stated further preliminary evidence suggesting co-regulation phenomena whereby body rhythms synchronized between humans/horses involved prompting additional detailed investigations planned subsequently

Control group members permitted taking horsemanship course post-study period concluding research demonstrated no significant stress indicators observed amongst participating equines according Karyn Malinowski co-author professor Department Animal Sciences Rutgers School Environmental Biological Sciences Founding Director Equine Science Center

"This important because increasing concern general population equine welfare demonstrated horses involved displayed no indicators stress."

PTSD slightly more common among veterans than civilians per National Center US Department Veterans Affairs approximately seven out every hundred affected compared six civilians lifetime however rates vary service era highest Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan twenty-nine percent followed Iraqi Freedom Iraq twenty-one deployment increasing risk additionally challenges greater treating veterans versus civilian counterparts noted Quinn director Anxiety Disorders Clinic GSAPP Center Psychological Services

"Studies like this important information effectiveness different interventions guiding policy funding decisions data supporting efficacy incorporating horses treatments makes likely available others facing similar issues." Rankins concluded extending pilot studies gaining additional validation forthcoming initiatives planned accordingly