Effectiveness of Equine-assisted Learning on Psychosocial Well-being Among Nurses.

OBJECTIVE

Nurse burnout poses a significant risk to workforce stability. This study investigated the impact of equine-assisted learning (EAL) on secondary traumatic stress, job burnout, subjective distress, and resiliency among nurses.

BACKGROUND

Effective interventions for early detection and management of stress and burnout are essential for workforce stability.

METHODS

Using a pre-post-interventional design, this study evaluated the impact of EAL on psychosocial well-being. Outcomes were measured using self-reported questionnaires at baseline, postintervention, and 1-month follow-up. Linear mixed models were used to assess score differences over time.

RESULTS

EAL significantly reduced secondary stress by an average of 6.83 (P<0.001), job burnout by a mean drop of 6.45 (P<0.05), and subjective distress by a mean decrease of 9.02 (P<0.01) at 1-month follow-up, while resilience showed a short-term increase postintervention by 1.4 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing EAL for nurses may enhance nurses' well-being and improve the quality of patient care.