TY - JOUR
T1 - Equine-Assisted Services for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
T2 - A Systematic Review
AU - Helmer, Anne
AU - Wechsler, Tamar
AU - Gilboa, Yafit
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2021.
PY - 2021/6
Y1 - 2021/6
N2 - Objective: This systematic review evaluated equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAATs), formerly referred to as equine-assisted services (EAS), in children and youth (ages 6-18 years) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Methods: Electronic database searches were conducted of studies from inception through December 2020. Results: A total of 12 articles were included: 8 noncontrolled prospective studies and 4 randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). Furthermore, seven of moderate methodological quality studies and five of moderate high methodological quality studies were included. Evidence was found for the effectiveness of various forms of EAS, including equine-assisted physical therapy (EAPT) and therapeutic riding (TR). Improvements in body functions and structures (n = 10) were found in the domains of mental and neuromusculoskeletal functions, as well as functions of the cardiovascular system using EAPT (n = 6). Limited evidence was found regarding the positive effect on activity and participation (n = 4) following TR interventions. Quality of life (QoL) was improved in both TR and EAPT (n = 4). Conclusion: There seems to be preliminary evidence that EAS may be beneficial in promoting the physiological functions of body systems for children with ADHD. The influence on participation and QoL still requires further evidence. More generally, further controlled studies, including bigger sample sizes, are needed to understand the specific effects of different EAS on the core symptoms and consequence of ADHD.
AB - Objective: This systematic review evaluated equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAATs), formerly referred to as equine-assisted services (EAS), in children and youth (ages 6-18 years) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Methods: Electronic database searches were conducted of studies from inception through December 2020. Results: A total of 12 articles were included: 8 noncontrolled prospective studies and 4 randomized-controlled trials (RCTs). Furthermore, seven of moderate methodological quality studies and five of moderate high methodological quality studies were included. Evidence was found for the effectiveness of various forms of EAS, including equine-assisted physical therapy (EAPT) and therapeutic riding (TR). Improvements in body functions and structures (n = 10) were found in the domains of mental and neuromusculoskeletal functions, as well as functions of the cardiovascular system using EAPT (n = 6). Limited evidence was found regarding the positive effect on activity and participation (n = 4) following TR interventions. Quality of life (QoL) was improved in both TR and EAPT (n = 4). Conclusion: There seems to be preliminary evidence that EAS may be beneficial in promoting the physiological functions of body systems for children with ADHD. The influence on participation and QoL still requires further evidence. More generally, further controlled studies, including bigger sample sizes, are needed to understand the specific effects of different EAS on the core symptoms and consequence of ADHD.
KW - ADHD
KW - EAS
KW - ICF
KW - environment
KW - equine-assisted activities and therapies
KW - participation
KW - quality of life
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85108553576&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1089/acm.2020.0482
DO - 10.1089/acm.2020.0482
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C2 - 33835856
AN - SCOPUS:85108553576
SN - 1075-5535
VL - 27
SP - 477
EP - 488
JO - Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
JF - Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
IS - 6
ER -