English Abstracts: Horse-assisted treatment of tic disorders

Abstract

Tic disorders like Tourette’s syndrome are rare but severe neuropsychiatric diseases that mostly affect children and adolescents. The state of research of multidisciplinary treatment methods especially of psychotherapy for tic disorders / Tourette’s syndrome are described. The feasibility of the treatment knowledge in a horse-assisted setting is derived from the formation of hypotheses. The horse-assisted treatment approach developed on the basis of this research is theoretically justified, presented in detail and filled with concrete practical examples. Parallels to the evidence-based treatment method – Habit Reversal Training – and clinical exercise therapy for mental illnesses are discussed.