NCT04606966

Physiological Mechanisms of Therapeutic Horseback Riding Intervention Effects in a Psychiatric Population of ASD Youth

Physiological Mechanisms of Action Relating to Immediate and Long-term Therapeutic Horseback Riding Intervention Effects in a Psychiatric Population of Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 250 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Years – 17 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized control trial (RCT) seeks to assess the mechanisms underlying Therapeutic Horseback Riding's (THR) previously observed significant positive effects on ASD youth, particularly those with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and to refine information on the durability, dose and sub-population effects of the intervention.

Detailed description

This randomized control trial (RCT) will test the hypothesis that physiological response patterns of salivary cortisol, cardiovascular, and electrodermal activity account for our previously observed significant outcomes (i.e., reduced irritability and hyperactivity, and improved social and communication), and additional outcomes (emotion regulation caregiver quality of life and crisis mental health care usage), in youth ages 6-16 yrs. with ASD and co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses randomized to a 10-week manualized THR intervention compared to a no-horse Barn Activity (BA) control (Aim 1). We will evaluate the durability of Aim 1 outcomes in the THR group compared to the BA control group six-months after the intervention period (Aim 2). Finally, we will explore dose and sub-population effects of THR and BA interventions by comparing effect size differences in THR and BA groups to (a) a 10-week wait-list control group; (b) a Hybrid intervention group (five weeks BA followed by five weeks THR); and (c) a subsample of the THR study population randomized following psychiatric hospitalization (Aim 3).

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Mental Disorders

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Therapeutic Horseback Riding	Horse therapy
OTHER	Barn Activity	Horsemanship group
OTHER	Hybrid	Ground and riding activities

Timeline

• Start date: 2020-12-22
• Primary completion: 2025-02-22
• Completion: 2025-02-22
• First posted: 2020-10-28
• Last updated: 2025-10-24

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States