Effects of Implementing Music Therapy Concurrently with Adaptive Riding: A Pilot Study

This observational pilot study evaluated the effect of integrating music therapy within adaptive riding lessons for youth with cognitive and social-emotional disabilities. The study design included an intervention group (adaptive riding with music therapy) and a control group (adaptive riding). To obtain observational data, researchers used the Gainesville Riding through Equine Assisted Therapy Scale (GREAT Scale) and the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) for Equine Assisted Services (EAS). Over two eight-week sessions, participants (n=16) were evaluated regarding focus, horsemanship skill/posture, self-regulation, enjoyment, and heart rate. To collect heart rate data, Polar Verity Sense heart rate monitors were placed on Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI), volunteers, and students. To collect equine heart rate data, Polar Verity Sense equine heart rate sensors were placed on the horses. Descriptive statistics and normality for each group was assessed via visual analysis, Q-Q plots, and Shapiro-Wilk test. The GREAT Scale data were compared using a two-sample t-test if both groups were normal, and Welch or Mann-Whitney as appropriate when distribution was not normal. The GAS scores were averaged for use in a multivariate regression and multiple linear regression. The average and maximum heart rate per session were analyzed by frequency and distribution. Improvements in focus, horsemanship/posture, self-regulation, and enjoyment were evident in both groups, however, improvements were significantly higher for the intervention group in horsemanship/posture. No statistically significant differences were found in heart rate data. The addition of music therapy to adaptive riding lessons may offer increased benefits in areas of focus, horsemanship/posture, self-regulation, and enjoyment.