The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy on the Physiology of Veterans with PTSD
The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy on the Physiology of Veterans with PTSD
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Issue Date
2022-06
Authors
Vardeleon, Ria
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Abstract
In this literature review, I analysed 10 quantitative peer-reviewed studies to understand the impact of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) on the physiology of veterans with PTSD and specifically investigated the following physiological parameters: cardiac, heart-rate variability, neuroendocrinal, and neurobiological measures. EAT improves cardiac output by decreasing the heart rate and improves heart-rate variability by increasing very low-frequency ranges of oscillation related to mental-health resiliency. Furthermore, EAT enhances the functioning of brain regions related to emotion regulation, but the impact of EAT on hormones is inconclusive because of unreliable salivary cortisol measures. Lastly, I explored ethical practices and applications of the findings to the clinical practice of counselling psychology.
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Keywords
equine-assisted therapy , post-traumatic stress disorder , veterans , physiological measures , emotional regulation , heart rate variability , heart rate , brain imaging , cortisol