Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the physiologic and psychological effects of an equine-assisted therapy protocol (EAT) in breast cancer survivors. Methods: Twenty women (mean age, 45.61±2.71 years) whose breast cancer treatment had concluded at least 6 months previously underwent a screening protocol to certify their eligibility to participate in noncompetitive sports. The patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group ( n=10) or a control group ( n=10). Intervention patients participated in a 16-week EAT protocol consisting of 2 hours of activity per week. All patients were tested before and after the intervention for maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max), fat mass percentage, total body water percentage, strength of principal muscular groups (measured on five weight-lifting machines [leg press, leg extension, leg curl, shoulder press, vertical traction]), and quality of life using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue questionnaire (FACIT-F). Results: After intervention, the intervention group showed an improvement in VO 2 max (28.29%; p<.001), a decrease in fat mass percentage (change, −7.73%; p<0.002), an increase in total body water percentage (6.90%; p=0.027), and an increase in strength (leg press, 17.75% [ p=0.018]; leg extension, 21.55% [ p=0.005]; leg curl, 26.04% [ p<0.001]; shoulder press, 49.72% [ p=0.003]; vertical traction, 19.27% [ p=0.002]). Furthermore, the increase in the three FACIT-F scores (FACIT-F trial outcome: 9.29% [ p=0.010]; Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General total score, 14.80% [ p=0.022]; FACIT-F total score, 11.48% [ p=0.004]) showed an increase in quality of life. No significant changes for any variable were found for the control group. Conclusions: EAT had positive effects on both physiologic and psychological measures, enhancing quality of life of breast cancer survivors. Results suggest a new method for rehabilitation intervention strategies after cancer in a nonmedical environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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