Examining the Psychological Measures and Feasibility of Recreational Trail Rides in Reducing Cravings for Addictive Substances among Veterans: A Replication Pilot Study.

Introduction: Equine-assisted services have been gaining popularity as complementary therapies for a variety of populations with a diversity of diagnoses. Interventions using equines might benefit the military Veteran population through building therapeutic alliance as well as reducing symptoms. This pilot observational study is primarily aimed to investigate safety, feasibility, and acceptability of equine-assisted services for Veterans with substance abuse disorders.

Contrasting physiological strategies explain heterogeneous responses to severe drought conditions within local populations of a widespread conifer.

Understanding how trees prioritize carbon gain at the cost of drought vulnerability under severe drought conditions is crucial for predicting which genetic groups and individuals will be resilient to future climate conditions. In this study, we investigated variations in growth, tree-ring anatomy as well as carbon and oxygen isotope ratios to assess the sensitivity and the xylem formation process in response to an episode of severe drought in 29 mature white spruce (Picea glauca [Moench] Voss) families grown in a common garden trial. During the drought episode, the majority of families displayed decreased growth and exhibited either sustained or increased intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE), which was largely influenced by reduced stomatal conductance as revealed by the dual carbon‑oxygen isotope approach.

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement for Veterans and Military Personnel on Long-Term Opioid Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) among past and present U.S. military personnel with prescriptions for long-term opioid therapy for chronic pain.

Pathways and drivers of canopy accession across primary temperate forests of Europe.

Canopy accession strategies reveal much about tree life histories and forest stand dynamics. However, the protracted nature of ascending to the canopy makes direct observation challenging. We use a reconstructive approach based on an extensive tree ring database to study the variability of canopy accession patterns of dominant tree species (Abies alba, Acer pseudoplatanus, Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies) in temperate mountain forests of Europe and elucidate how disturbance histories, climate, and topography affect canopy accession.

A Pilot Replication Study of Implementing an Equine-Assisted Services Program Within a VA Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program.

Introduction: Veterans have high rates of substance use disorders and other mental health conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder. Effective treatments for these conditions exist; however, high attrition rates and residual symptoms after completing treatment are common. Complementary treatment approaches could enhance treatment engagement and/or response among this population.

Potential Mechanisms of Action and Outcomes of Equine-Assisted Services for Veterans with a History of Trauma: A Narrative Review of the Literature.

Equine-assisted services (EASs) are being increasingly used as complementary interventions for military veterans who have experienced trauma. However, there is limited evidence of benefit for this population and almost no literature describing the desired potential outcomes and possible mechanisms of action. The aim of this article is to address these gaps by reviewing the extant literature of animal-assisted interventions in general, and equine-assisted services in particular, with the goal of providing guidance for future investigations in the field.

A replication study of a psychotherapy incorporating horses resiliency intervention for healthcare workers.

Objectives: The first aim of this pilot observational study was to replicate a previous study of a resiliency psychotherapy incorporating horses (PIH) intervention for healthcare workers. The second aim was to address some gaps in the literature regarding equine-assisted services more broadly.

Design: Prospective open trial.

Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement remediates anhedonia in chronic opioid use by enhancing neurophysiological responses during savoring of natural rewards.

Background: Neuropsychopharmacologic effects of long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) in the context of chronic pain may result in subjective anhedonia coupled with decreased attention to natural rewards. Yet, there are no known efficacious treatments for anhedonia and reward deficits associated with chronic opioid use. Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE), a novel behavioral intervention combining training in mindfulness with savoring of natural rewards, may hold promise for treating anhedonia in LTOT.

Monitoring long-term opioid therapy and chronic noncancer pain in primary care: Whole Health Primary Care Pain Education and Opioid Monitoring Program (PC-POP).

Objective: To replicate and extend previous research by examining, among a larger sample, the effectiveness of a Whole Health Primary Care Pain Education and Opioid Monitoring Program (PC-POP) at increasing adherence to the Veteran Affairs/Department of Defense (VA/DoD) recommended guidelines for long-term opioid therapy among chronic noncancer patients seen in primary care-medications, hospitalization, monitoring/safety, assessment, and nonpharmacological pain treatment referrals.

Design/methods: Using data collected from medical records, a between-subjects comparison (PC-POP enrollees vs nonenrollees) was conducted to determine if there were differences between the groups 12 months post-enrollment in PC-POP (12 months post-index date for nonenrollees). Additionally, a within-subjects comparison of outcomes was also conducted with PC-POP enrollees, ie, 12 months pre-enrollment to 12 months post-enrollment.

Evaluation of a mindfulness and self-compassion-based psychotherapy incorporating horses for Veterans who have experienced trauma.

Objectives: The primary aim of this pilot study was to assess the safety, feasibility, acceptability, as well as preliminary outcomes of a mindfulness and self-compassion-based psychotherapy incorporating horses (PIH) intervention, Whispers with Horses, for Veterans who had experienced trauma. Whispers with Horses was developed as a structured intervention that could be easily replicated for additional studies. If shown to be effective by future rigorous research, the aim is to disseminate a manualized version of the intervention to the field.

A pilot observational study of horsemanship skills training for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Objectives: Pilot assessment of an equine-assisted services intervention for Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Design: Prospective cohort.

Setting: A large Veterans Administration healthcare system.

Large old trees increase growth under shifting climatic constraints: Aligning tree longevity and individual growth dynamics in primary mountain spruce forests.

In a world of accelerating changes in environmental conditions driving tree growth, tradeoffs between tree growth rate and longevity could curtail the abundance of large old trees (LOTs), with potentially dire consequences for biodiversity and carbon storage. However, the influence of tree-level tradeoffs on forest structure at landscape scales will also depend on disturbances, which shape tree size and age distribution, and on whether LOTs can benefit from improved growing conditions due to climate warming. We analyzed temporal and spatial variation in radial growth patterns from ~5000 Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.

A pilot observational study of a psychotherapy incorporating equines resiliency intervention for staff at a large medical center.

Background: and purpose: Stress and burnout among healthcare workers are significant public health concerns. The primary aim of this pilot study was to conduct preliminary assessments of safety, feasibility, and participant satisfaction with a psychotherapy incorporating equines (PIE)-based resiliency intervention for healthcare workers. The overarching goal was to lay the groundwork for future, more rigorous investigations.

Using global databases to disentangle trait-specific and environmental influences on forest drought sensitivity.

Recent extreme climate events, such as droughts, have led to unprecedented forest dieback worldwide. Serra-Maluquer et al. (2022) used open access, global scale databases to link woody species' drought tolerance capabilities to their specific set of life-history traits.

A Pilot Observational Study of Implementing an Equine-A ssisted Services Program Within a VA Medical Center Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program.

Introduction: The aim of this observational pilot study was to assess the safety, feasibility, preliminary outcomes, and predictors of participant response as a result of implementing an equine-assisted intervention within a residential substance abuse treatment program at a large Veterans Administration medical center. A secondary aim was to evaluate psychological instruments for use in future, more rigorous studies. The overarching goal was to complete the necessary work to prepare for a large randomized controlled trial of this intervention for Veterans with addictive disorders.

Veterans' experiences with mindfulness-based eating: A mixed methods study on MB-SAVOR.

Background: Disordered eating is prevalent among US Military Veterans who have a high incidence of obesity, diabetes, and mental illness. Mindfulness is an evidenced-based intervention for some mental health disorders, is well received by Veterans, and may be useful in treating disordered eating behavior in this population. The aim of this study was to assess and describe Veterans' experience with MB-SAVOR, a novel mindfulness-based eating program, and determine if it improved their relationship with food and the body.

A pilot observational study of recreational trail riding for Veterans with addictive disorders.

Objectives: The aim of study was to assess the safety, feasibility, and preliminary outcomes of recreational trail riding for Veterans with addictive disorders.

Design: This was an observational pilot study.

Setting: United States Veterans Health Care Administration Medical Center.

Heightened autonomic reactivity to negative affective stimuli among active duty soldiers with PTSD and opioid-treated chronic pain.

Within military populations, chronic pain conditions and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) frequently co-occur, however, little research has examined the psychophysiological correlates of this comorbidity among active-duty soldiers. The current study examined physiological reactivity to negative affective stimuli among 30 active duty soldiers with chronic pain conditions treated with long-term opioid therapy. Participants completed a diagnostic interview and self-report measures.

Site index as a predictor of the effect of climate warming on boreal tree growth.

The boreal forest represents the terrestrial biome most heavily affected by climate change. However, no consensus exists regarding the impacts of these changes on the growth of tree species therein. Moreover, assessments of young tree responses in metrics transposable to forest management remain scarce.

Examining the relationship between pain interference, pain intensity, and mental health symptoms among veterans receiv-ing long-term opioid therapy for chronic noncancer pain in primary care.

Objective: As part of the evaluation of the Whole Health Primary Care Pain Education and Opioid Monitoring Program (PC-POP), we examined the relationship between pain intensity, pain interference, and mental health symptoms among PC-POP enrollees.

Design/methods: Retrospective cohort study examining self-reported symptoms of pain intensity, pain interference, anxiety, depression, substance use, and quality of life. Data were retrieved through a combination of chart review and data extracted from the VA Informatics and Computing Infrastructure.

Contrasting life-history traits of black spruce and jack pine influence their physiological response to drought and growth recovery in northeastern boreal Canada.

An increase in frequency, intensity and duration of drought events affects forested ecosystems. Trees react to these changes by adjusting stomatal conductance to maximize the trade-off between carbon gains and water losses. A better understanding of the consequences of these drought-induced physiological adjustments for tree growth could help inferring future productivity potentials of boreal forests.

Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Current State, Challenges and Future Directions.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is common among military Veterans. While effective treatments exist, many Veterans either do not engage in treatment or fail to achieve full remission. Thus, there is a need to develop adjunctive complementary interventions to enhance treatment engagement and/or response.

Mindfulness-based Therapeutic Sailing for Veterans With Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders.

Introduction: Complementary interventions have the potential to enhance treatment engagement and/or response among veterans with psychiatric disorders and/or substance use disorders (SUDs). Mindfulness-based therapeutic sailing (MBTS) is a novel three-session, complementary intervention, which combines nature exposure via recreational sailing and mindfulness training. It was developed specifically to augment both treatment response and engagement among veterans with psychiatric disorders or SUDs.