Efficacy of Equine Assisted Therapy on Negative Symptoms in Patients With Schizophrenia (STABLE)
Animal Assisted Therapy
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Animal Assisted Therapy
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of schizophrenia (ICD-10: F20.0-20.3, F20.5)
- men or female patients (older than 18 years of age)
- written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- acute risk of harming oneself or others
- severe manifest allergies
- medically uncontrolled epilepsy
- Significant side effects of medication (blood pressure fluctuations with dizziness, movement-limiting Parkinson's disease, etc.).
Sites / Locations
- Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik ZürichRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
equine assisted therapy
activating control phase
In the active intervention phase, patients participate twice a week in a equine assisted group therapy, while during the control phase they participate twice a week in a group that includes a non-specific and general activity program. After 15 therapy units in a study phase, the subjects will complete the 15 units of the other study phase (within-subject-design). All participants complete both study phases, with the order being randomized.
In the present study, the interventions in the control phase are based on the sub-program "Social Skills" of the Integrated Psychological Treatment Program (IPT) for schizophrenic patients (Brenner et al., 1994, Roder et al., 1988, 2002).