title: Perceptions of equine-assisted activities and therapies by parents and children with spinal muscular atrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the physical and psychosocial effects of equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAATs) on children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from the perspective of the children and their parents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The families of all eligible children with SMA, who reported participation in EAAT, from a Western metropolitan academic center were contacted and invited to participate. This study implemented qualitative, semistructured interviews of children with SMA and their parents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three themes emerged from the qualitative content analysis: physical/psychosocial benefits; relationship development with the horses, instructors, and children; and barriers to continued EAAT engagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data suggest that the overall EAAT experience was a source of enjoyment, self-confidence, and normalcy for the children with SMA. The results of this study provide preliminary support for the use of EAAT among children with SMA.
authors.affiliation: Utah Valley Regional Medical Center (Ms Lemke), Provo, Utah; University of Utah College of Nursing (Dr Rothwell), Salt Lake City, Utah; University of Utah School of Medicine Neurology Department (Ms Newcomb and Dr Swoboda), Salt Lake City, Utah.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lemke
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rothwell
authors.forename: Tara M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Newcomb
authors.forename: Kathryn J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Swoboda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D012720:Severity of Illness Index