Horse power for the brain: equine therapy shows promise in dementia pilot

NCT ID NCT06662578

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Cooperativa de Ensino Superior, Politécnico e Universitário Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This small pilot study tested whether adding a horse to memory workshops could improve thinking, mood, and quality of life for people with mild to moderate dementia. Thirty-six older adults were split into three groups: traditional memory workshops, equine-assisted memory workshops, or a no-intervention control group. After eight weekly sessions, researchers compared changes in cognitive function, depression, and quality of life.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Equine-assisted therapy (horse interaction) combined with memory workshops
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a more engaging and effective way to support cognitive function and mood in people with dementia.
What could go wrong: This is a very small pilot study (36 participants) with no blinding, so results may not be reliable or generalizable. The intervention is not a treatment for dementia itself.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

dementia Depression

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEMENTIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

CAJOU

Le Boulou, 66160, France

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