Using Equine Therapy in Dementia Cognitive Stimulation

NCT06662578 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 05/CE-UICS/2024
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 36
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if integrating equine therapy in memory workshops in mild to moderate Dementias can improve cognitive function, quality of life and mood. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer is: Does the mediation of a horse in memory workshops increase its effects ? Researchers will compare traditional memory workshops, memory workshops using equine therapy and a control group to see if the equine therapy mediation will increase cognitive functions, mood and quality of life in individuals with mild to moderate Dementias. Participants will participate in 8 weekly sessions of equine therapy memory workshops / traditional memory workshops / a control group will not have any interventions during that period. All subjects will be evaluated pre and post intervention period.

Conditions

Dementia

Keywords

Dementia; Equine therapy; Neurocognitive stimulation; Memory workshop; Quality of life; Alzheimer's; Depression

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Cognitive Function as Assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

  Pre and post-intervention period, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used to assess cognitive function. Score range: 0 to 30; higher scores indicate better cognitive function

  Baseline and ten weeks after

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Depression Symptoms as Assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15)

  Baseline and ten weeks after

• Change in Quality of Life as Assessed by the Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD NH)

  Baseline and ten weeks after

Study Arms (3)

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Traditional memory workshop

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Neurocognitive stimulation as usual

Other: Traditional memory workshop

Equine assisted therapy memory workshop

EXPERIMENTAL

Neurocognitive stimulation mediated with a horse based on a defined protocol.

Other: Equine assisted therapy memory workshops

Interventions

Traditional memory workshop OTHER

The participants received 8 weekly sessions of 60 minutes of neurocognitive stimulation, based on French memory workshops.

Also known as: neurocognitive stimulation, cognitive stimulation, memory workshops

Traditional memory workshop

Equine assisted therapy memory workshops OTHER

The participants received 8 weekly sessions of 60 minutes, based on traditional memory workshops (French type of neurocognitive stimulation) with the mediation of a horse (example : working on associative memory by selecting which object is used for the horse between 2 presented objects).

Also known as: Animal assisted therapy, Equine therapy, neurocognitive stimulation, Equine mediation

Equine assisted therapy memory workshop

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Have been medically diagnosed with Major Neurocognitive Disorders
• Scores between 0.5 and 2 on the Cognitive Dementia Rating scale (CDR) (Berg, 1982)
• Adults of all genders, aged 65 and over; and
• Willingness to participate in a memory workshop; e) willingness to interact with a horse.

You may not qualify if:

• Expressed fear, aversion, or has had a negative experience with horses
• Allergy or other medical condition which did not allow contact with horses.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário: lead

Study Sites (1)

CAJOU

Le Boulou, 66160, France

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia; Depression

Interventions

Animal Assisted Therapy; Equine-Assisted Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: OTHER
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical neuropsychologist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 26, 2024
• First Posted: October 29, 2024
• Study Start: June 3, 2024
• Primary Completion: August 30, 2024
• Study Completion: August 30, 2024
• Last Updated: March 18, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

FR (1)