NCT06057311

Equine Assisted Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Effectiveness of Equine Assisted Therapy in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Study

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 33 (actual)
• Sponsor: Izmir Democracy University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 3 Years – 14 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that negatively affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. Various animals have started to be used for therapeutic purposes by those in need. In recent years, especially equine-assisted therapies have become popular. However, it has been reported in the literature that more studies on this subject are needed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of equine-assisted therapy for children with autism on daily living activities, balance, quality of life, and sleep.

Detailed description

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was first defined by Leo Kanner in 1943 as a common neurodevelopmental disorder that has a negative effect on social interaction, communication, and behaviour. These individuals have problems such as impaired sensory processing skills, reduced balance and coordination, difficulties in undertaking daily living activities, diminished quality of life, sleep problems, and poor speech and language skills. According to the 2015 report published by the American National Autism Center, treatments are examined under three headings: those based on science, those promising, and those not based on science. Animal support therapies are included in the intervention not based on science. It can be seen in the literature that the relationship between people and animals provides people with physical, mental and psychological support. Because of the positive effects of this relationship, various animals have started to be used for therapeutic purposes by those in need. Horses are used most often because accessibility is easy and they share many characteristics with humans. Therapies that include horses come under the following five headings: Adaptive Riding, Equine Assisted Activities, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Assisted Therapy, and Hippotherapy. Equine-assisted therapy is used in several pathologies and various age groups, most commonly in pediatric rehabilitation. However, there are few studies in the literature on this subject. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of equine-assisted therapy for children with autism on daily living activities, balance, quality of life, and sleep. Thus, it is thought to contribute to the literature in terms of the effectiveness of applying equine-assisted therapies together with traditional therapies in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Study Hypothesis as follows: Equine-Assisted Therapies have an effect on daily living activities, balance, quality of life, and sleep of individuals with ASD.

Conditions

• Equine-Assisted Therapy
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Hippotherapy	The participants in HT Group; received 12 sessions as 2 sessions a week for 6 weeks. Each therapy session lasted for an average of 20 min. The assessments were applied twice to all participants before and after the training. The treatments and assessments were performed by the same physiotherapist in the same environment.
OTHER	Equine-Assisted Activities Therapy	The participants in the EAAT Group received 12 sessions as 2 sessions a week for 6 weeks. Each therapy session lasted for an average of 20 min. The assessments were applied twice to all participants before and after the training. The treatments and assessments were performed by the same physiotherapist in the same environment.
OTHER	Control	The Control Group (CG) did not receive any training. The assessments were applied twice to CG at baseline and after 6 weeks. The treatments and assessments were performed by the same physiotherapist in the same environment.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-12-24
• Primary completion: 2020-03-10
• Completion: 2020-08-24
• First posted: 2023-09-28
• Last updated: 2023-10-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)