Occupational Therapy News OTnews October 2018 | Page 45

MENTAL HEALTH FEATURE
that this would have been one of his first opportunities to support
another person’s development, which can increase self-esteem.
One of the patients is morbidly obese and it is very difficult to
motivate him to participate in physical activity. However, when
working with the horses, he showed a willingness to exert high levels
of physical effort and was regularly observed becoming appropriately
out of breath.
The outcomes of the trial were measured using the Model of
Human Occupation Screening Tool (MoHOST), patient feedback
and observational logs completed by occupational therapy staff
facilitating the sessions, and the MoHOST showed an improvement
in responsibility, non-verbal skills and planning.
Other disciplines noticed an improvement in the patients’
presentation in between sessions, evidenced when a consultant
re-arranged a patient’s hospital appointment (normally seen as high
priority) so that they could attend a horsemanship session, stating
that they are ‘doing him good’.
Benefits reported by patients at the end of the six weeks Additionally, two of the patients reported pleasure in having
positive/pro-social experiences to share with friends and family; one
patient showed photographs to his mother and said that she was
proud of him.
The patients siad that the sessions have inspired them to
participate in other meaningful vocational occupations, which have
always been available, but they have never shown motivation to
attend, such as woodwork and horticulture.
Identified challenges included the time limit of each session,
which people felt did not provide enough opportunity for feedback
and reflection, while facilitating the group on a weekly basis placed
a significant strain on the time and resources of the occupational
therapy staff.
Despite these challenges, the positive outcomes identified showed
how effective this intervention was for this client group. Not only
would these three patients benefit from further sessions, but there are
many other patients within Langdon Hospital who would value the
opportunity to participate.
included an increase in social confidence, support in developing
communication skills, improved assertiveness, provision of a positive
routine, experiencing spirituality, a sense of relaxation, improved self-
esteem and an ability to feel empathy.
Patients commented how ‘amazed’ they were that the horses
trusted them to groom them. This is particularly powerful for this
patient group, as they often feel judged by their risk histories. Lydia Helyer, occupational therapist, Langdon Hospital, Devon
Partnership NHS Trust, with acknowledgements to Langdon
staff who escorted the patients (Lesley Murch, Joanna Duke,
Kirsty Lane, Summer Wight and Faith Brook), Rachel Thompson,
student occupational therapist who helped to apply for funding,
Horsemanship for Health and Recovery Devon
Stand E12
N227
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