title: Project Stride: An Equine-Assisted Intervention to Reduce Symptoms of Social Anxiety in Young Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there is evidence supporting the use of equine-assisted activities to treat mental disorders, its efficacy in reducing signs and symptoms of social anxiety in young women has not been examined.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed and pilot tested Project Stride, a brief, six-session intervention combining equine-assisted activities and cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce symptoms of social anxiety. A total of 12 women, 18-29 years of age, were randomly assigned to Project Stride or a no-treatment control. Participants completed the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale at baseline, immediate-post, and 6 weeks after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Project Stride was highly acceptable and feasible. Compared to control participants, those in Project Stride had significantly greater reductions in social anxiety scores from baseline to immediate-post [decrease of 24.8 points; t (9) = 3.40, P = .008)] and from baseline to follow-up [decrease of 31.8 points; t (9) = 4.12, P = .003)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings support conducting a full-scale efficacy trial of Project Stride.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce De Leon Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146-0751. Electronic address: s.alfonso1@umiami.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.affiliation: Department of Education, Leadership and Professional Studies Florida International University, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: Lauren A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Alfonso
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Miami, 5665 Ponce De Leon Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146-0751.
authors.forename: Maria M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Llabre
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Health Promotion Program, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Miami, FL.
authors.forename: M Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Fernandez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000628:therapy*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy; D005260:Female; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Equine-assisted activities; Social anxiety; Theory-based intervention; Young women