Equine-assisted therapeutic activities and their influence on the heart rate variability: A systematic review

Abstract Objective To examine the effect of equine-assisted therapeutic interventions on users’ heart rate variability, using this said variability as an objective biological variable related to stress levels. Method A systematic review has been carried out using the methodology suggested in the PRISMA declaration following systematic searches in academic databases. Results 432 registers were initially identified; however, in the screening and suitability process, nine papers were included in the review. With one exception, all of them reported that equine-assisted therapeutic activities had a favourable effect on users’ heart rate variability as such activities favour a state of relaxation by activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System. The analysis of the quality of the evidence and the confirmation of the bias in the works indicate that these results must be considered with caution. Discussion Although these preliminary results are promising, more rigorous clinical trials are necessary to overcome the methodological limitations of the works.