A qualitative exploration of post-acute stroke participants' experiences of a multimodal intervention incorporating horseback riding.
Authors: Pohl Petra, Carlsson Gunnel, Bunketorp Käll Lina, Nilsson Michael, Blomstrand Christian
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine-Assisted Rehabilitation for Stroke Recovery Whilst multimodal rehabilitation programmes combining physical, cognitive and social elements have shown promise in late-stage stroke recovery, relatively little is known about how stroke survivors actually experience and perceive horseback riding as a therapeutic component. This Swedish qualitative study explored the subjective experiences of post-acute stroke participants (moderate disability level) engaged in a multimodal intervention programme that incorporated equine work, using interviews to capture participants' perspectives on their rehabilitation journey. Participants reported meaningful long-term improvements and identified several key benefits: enhanced motor control and sensory awareness through the dynamic, unstable surface of the horse; improved confidence and psychological wellbeing through mastery and social engagement; and sustained motivation driven by the intrinsic reward of working with a living animal rather than conventional therapy equipment. For equine professionals working alongside stroke rehabilitation teams, these findings underscore that the horse's therapeutic value extends beyond simple biomechanical demands—the relational and motivational aspects appear integral to engagement and outcomes in later-stage recovery. Integrating these insights into multimodal programmes may help optimise adherence and long-term functional gains in this population, particularly when conventional physiotherapy motivation begins to plateau.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Horseback riding can be a motivating and effective component of rehabilitation programs for stroke survivors, particularly those with moderate functional limitations
- •Equine-assisted interventions address multiple recovery domains (motor, sensory, cognitive, social) in a single session, potentially improving compliance and outcomes
- •Qualitative feedback from participants suggests horseback riding enhances engagement in rehabilitation compared to conventional therapy alone
Key Findings
- •Horseback riding incorporated into multimodal rehabilitation produces meaningful long-term improvements in stroke survivors with moderate disability levels
- •Participants reported positive experiences with horseback riding as part of multimodal rehabilitation intervention
- •Equine-assisted therapy engages physical, social, and cognitive domains simultaneously during late-phase stroke recovery