Using Equine Therapy in Dementia Cognitive Stimulation (NCT06662578) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Using Equine Therapy in Dementia Cognitive Stimulation
France36 participantsStarted 2024-06-03
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if integrating equine therapy in memory workshops in mild to moderate Dementias can improve cognitive function, quality of life and mood. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer is:
Does the mediation of a horse in memory workshops increase its effects ?
Researchers will compare traditional memory workshops, memory workshops using equine therapy and a control group to see if the equine therapy mediation will increase cognitive functions, mood and quality of life in individuals with mild to moderate Dementias.
Participants will participate in 8 weekly sessions of equine therapy memory workshops / traditional memory workshops / a control group will not have any interventions during that period. All subjects will be evaluated pre and post intervention period.
Who can participate
Age range
65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Have been medically diagnosed with Major Neurocognitive Disorders
* Scores between 0.5 and 2 on the Cognitive Dementia Rating scale (CDR) (Berg, 1982)
* Adults of all genders, aged 65 and over; and
* Willingness to participate in a memory workshop; e) willingness to interact with a horse.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Expressed fear, aversion, or has had a negative experience with horses
* Allergy or other medical condition which did not allow contact with horses.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial used equine therapy — meaning sessions with horses — to try to stimulate cognition in people with dementia, and it measured results with the MoCA test; can you help me understand what the MoCA actually measures and whether any changes seen in a study like this would be meaningful for my loved one's specific type and stage of dementia?
2Since this trial is already completed, is there any published data or results I can review with you to see whether the equine therapy sessions appeared to help, stay the same, or possibly cause any problems for participants?
3This was listed as Phase NA, which often means it's a non-drug or behavioral intervention study rather than a medication trial — does that change how confident we can be about the safety and effectiveness of this kind of approach compared to something that went through standard clinical trial phases?
4Equine therapy requires traveling to and interacting with horses, which could be physically and logistically demanding for someone with dementia — do you think the practical challenges of this kind of activity would be realistic for my family member given where they are in their diagnosis?
5Are there other cognitive stimulation approaches — like music therapy, art therapy, or standard memory care programs — that have more established evidence, and how would you compare those options to what this equine therapy trial was exploring?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in Cognitive Function as Assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
Timeframe: Baseline and ten weeks after
Trial details
NCT IDNCT06662578
SponsorCooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário