Perception of hippotherapy professionals about their practice with the elderly

Abstract Introduction Riding therapy is a therapeutic method recently regulated in Brazil. Nevertheless, it has been studied for years, especially focusing on children and adolescents. Considering the growing number of elderly in the Brazilian population, investigations focusing on older people are increasingly necessary. Objective To analyze the perceptions of equine therapy professionals about their practice with the elderly. Methods This was a qualitative and cross-sectional research, in which the participants answered an online questionnaire, composed of demographic questions and questions related to horseback riding with the elderly. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. Results Twenty-five professionals (23-57 years old), graduates, who had worked for at least two years with hippotherapy (mean = 6.64; standard deviation = 5.39 years) participated. This sample was composed mostly of female professionals (72%) and physical therapists (48%). Of the total, 60% reported having already assisted at least one elderly practitioner. Among those who had never worked with this public, 90% wished to do so. All professionals considered that horseback riding can be beneficial in old age, reducing depressive symptoms and promoting psychosocial (e.g., socializing) and physical (e.g., balance) variables. Despite the benefits, professionals mentioned challenges, such as difficulties of the practitioner (e.g., fear), problems with the workplace (e.g., lack of qualified staff), and low demand. Conclusion Hippotherapy professionals consider riding therapy a method that contributes to improving biopsychosocial aspects of the elderly. However, they face challenges in this practice, hindering or preventing them from serving older people.

摘要 引言：骑马治疗（riding therapy）是巴西近期纳入规范管理的治疗手段。尽管该疗法已被研究多年，既往研究多聚焦于儿童与青少年群体。考虑到巴西人口中老年群体规模持续扩大，针对老年群体的相关研究愈发必要。
目的：分析马术治疗（equine therapy）从业者对其面向老年群体开展实践的认知情况。
方法：本研究为质性横断面研究，参与者需填写在线问卷，问卷涵盖人口统计学问题及老年群体马术骑乘治疗相关问题。数据采用描述性统计与主题内容分析（thematic content analysis）进行处理。
结果：共计25名从业者参与研究，年龄介于23~57岁，均为相关专业毕业生，且从事马术疗法（hippotherapy）相关工作至少2年（平均从业时长6.64年，标准差5.39年）。样本以女性从业者为主（占比72%），其中物理治疗师占比48%。60%的受访者表示曾至少为1名老年服务对象提供过服务；在从未接触过老年群体的从业者中，90%表示希望未来能够开展相关实践。所有受访者均认为马术骑乘对老年群体具有积极作用，可缓解抑郁症状，同时促进其社会心理（如社交互动）与躯体（如平衡能力）相关指标的改善。尽管存在上述益处，从业者们仍提及了多项实践挑战，包括服务对象自身的困难（如恐惧情绪）、场地相关问题（如缺乏合格从业人员）以及服务需求不足等。
结论：马术疗法从业者认为，骑马治疗可改善老年群体的生物-心理-社会层面健康状况，但该实践过程中面临的诸多障碍阻碍甚至阻止了他们为老年群体提供服务。