engleski

Horse assisted activities as a treatment for participants with Parkinson’s disease

Horse assisted activities (HAA) as an effective treatment could improve function in daily activities and quality of life in individuals with a variety of neurological conditions. The study was conducted to assess the effects of HAA in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Seven participants (4 men and 3 women) took part in all nine meetings that were held during the study. The average age of the participants was 65 years. Before and after the study, participants responded to the questionnaire on health and mood. In addition, at the end of the last day of the study implementation, participants were asked about the observed changes according to the situation before the start of the study. With general questionnaires and a small group, it was not able to demonstrate statistically significant differences according to the state of the participants before they were included in the study and upon its completion. However, a very important finding is that with all the participants, regardless of age, condition of disease, and the fact that they have practically no experience with animals, it was achieved the same level of knowledge and skills. After nine meetings, all the participants were able to independently lead the horse and, with the help of the guide, sit on a horse with outspread arms and with no stirrups us and follow the horse’s movement while walking. Despite the fact that due to the above reasons it was not possible to estimate the statistically significant effects of horse assisted activity on patients with PD, the positive effects of the activity with horses on the participants were noticed. During the study we adopted project proposal for each of 9 meetings, with detailed program and expected achievements of each meeting. Such program will be tested in near future with new group of participants with PD.

Horse ; participants ; Parkinson's

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