- 1Department of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, Sognsvannsveien 21, Building 22, 0424, Oslo, Norway. ann@godal.com.
- 2Department
of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, Sognsvannsveien 21,
Building 22, 0424, Oslo, Norway. esarne@ous-hf.no.
- 3Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. esarne@ous-hf.no.
- 4Department
of Addiction Treatment, Oslo University Hospital, Sognsvannsveien 21,
Building 22, 0424, Oslo, Norway. espwal@ous-hf.no.
- 5Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. edle.ravndal@medisin.uio.no.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Keeping
substance use disorder patients actively engaged in treatment is a
challenge. Horse-assisted therapy (HAT) is increasingly used as a
complementary therapy, with claimed motivational and other benefits to
physical and psychological health. This naturalistic study aimed to
assess HAT's impact on the duration and completion of treatment for
young substance users at Oslo University Hospital.
METHODS:
Discharge
and other data were derived from the Youth Addiction Treatment
Evaluation Project (YATEP) database for patients (n = 108) admitted
during an 18-month period. An intention-to-treat design, and univariate
and multivariate analyses were used to compare those receiving treatment
as usual (n = 43) with those who received treatment as usual plus HAT
(n = 65).
RESULTS:
Despite
a lack of randomization, the baseline characteristics of the two groups
were similar. However, more HAT participants completed treatment (56.9
vs 14 %, p < 0.001), remained in treatment for longer (mean 141 vs
70 days, p < 0.001) and had a significantly higher chance of
completing their treatment than those not given the HAT program.
Excluding time in treatment, and after controlling for the potentially
confounding influence of age, sex, education, number and severity of
substances used, psychological distress
and number of temporary exits, the adjusted odds ratio for treatment
completion was 8.4 in the HAT group compared with those not
participating in HAT (95 % CI 2.7-26.4, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
The
study found a statistically significant association between HAT
participation and time in treatment, and between HAT participation and
completion of treatment. This association does not infer causality.
However, it adds supporting evidence for the development of an
innovative therapy, and warrants investment in further research in
relation to its inclusion in substance use disorder treatment.
