Treating ADHD with horse-related activities
Typical features of ADHD are attention deficit, hyperactivity and / or impulsivity. In addition, in ADHD we often see motor problems such as balance problems, bilateral coordination, and problems in fine motor skills. With the help of an MRI can be determined how much activity takes place in the brain. The technique used in this study is called rs-fMRI (Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging). It is proven that there is a correlation between the activity at rest in the brain and ADHD.
In an earlier study, the researchers proved that there is a correlation between the amount of activity at rest and the output of various tasks. Another study showed that working with horses and riding them has a positive influence and a decrease in the characteristics of ADHD.
A group of 10 test subjects worked with horses an rode them twice a week for 12 weeks long. They were not allowed to use medication during the study. Prior to and after this "hippotherapy" the subjects have undergone rs-fMRI. The entire program is extensively described in the original article. The horses were well trained and had previously been used in therapeutic sessions. The therapy was given by specialized hippotherapists.
Despite the small set-up of this study, it became clear that the use of horses in the treatment of ADHD is very effective. From the scans it became clear that the activity of the brain at rest was more comparable with people without ADHD after the end of the intervention than before. Because of the relationship between the activity of the resting brain and the symptoms of ADHD, the authors suggest that horses have a positive influence on the children with ADHD. Of course, more research is needed to prove this.
> From: Hyun Yoo et al., Clin Psychopharmacol Neurosci 30;14 (2016) 357-364 (Epub ahead of print). All rights reserved to Creative Commons Attribution License. Click here for the online summary.
