Effects of Animal-assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication of Adults With Autism

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim is to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy program on physical function and communication in a sample comprised of 24 adults with autism spectrum disorder. The sample will be divided into 2 groups, a control group and an experimental group. Changes after 10 weeks (20 sessions) will be compared between-groups.

Detailed Description
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The intervention program will consist of 20 sessions conducted twice a week in the facilities of the collaborator associations. Each session will be conducted in groups of 3 participants and will last 30 minutes. It will include a welcome part, a main part (based on different activities and physical exercises with the dog) and a closing part to say goodbye to the dogs. Physical function measures will be conducted before and after the completion of the study. The interaction and communication will be assessed during the sessions in the first, tenth and last ones.

Official Title
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Effects of Animal-assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication of Adults With Autism: a Controlled Trial.

Conditions
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Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: dog-assisted therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Older than 40 years With autism spectrum disorder Able to walk autonomously, without help from other people. Able to climb and descent stairs autonomously, without help from other people. Exclusion Criteria: Medical condition that contraindicates the proximity or contact with the animals with the animals on the part of the user. Allergy to dog epithelium. Phobias to dogs. History of aggression to animals. Users who do not submit a signed informed consent form.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Two groups: one control (adults with autism that continues with their daily living and therapies) and one experimental group (adults with autism that receive the intervention program added to their daily living and therapies).
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| No Intervention: Control group<br>Participants in this group will simply continue with their daily living and therapies. They will be assessed before and after the 10 week program but will not take part in it. | |
| Experimental: Experimental group<br>Participants in this group will take part in the 20 session dog-assisted therapy. This therapy will be added to their usual daily living and therapies. They will be assessed before and after the 10 week program. | Behavioral: dog-assisted therapy<br>* It will consist of 20 sessions conducted twice a week in the facilities of the association. It will involve different activities and physical exercises facilitated by the dogs. The program will be conducted in two associations (12 participants in each one, 6 belonging to the experimental and 6 belonging to the control group in each association) and in groups of three participants.<br>* Other names: animal-assisted intervention;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in walking performance (10m) | Evaluation of the ability to walk 10 meters in a corridor (time spent) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in walking performance (6m) | Evaluation of the ability to walk 6 meters in a corridor (time spent) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in balance and risk of falling | Using the Tinetti Assessment Tool. Minimum score = 0. Maximum score for gait = 12 points; Maximum score for balance component = 16 points. Maximum total score = 28 points. Higher scores mean lower risk of falling. | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in communication without dog | An observation scale designed by the group to evaluate the interaction and communication with other people. It is comprised by 14 items, scored as 1 (yes) and 0 (no). Minimum score = 0; Maximum score = 14. Higher scores mean higher communication. | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in communication with dog | An observation scale designed by the group to evaluate the interaction and communication with the dogs and other people. It is comprised by 38 items, scored as 1 (yes) and 0 (no). Minimum score = 0; Maximum score = 38. Higher scores mean higher communication. | During sessions (first, intermediate and last one) | 
| Changes in the ability to climb and descend stairs | Evaluation of the ability to climb and descend stairs (10 steps) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in step length (6m) | Evaluation of the step length walking 6 meters in a corridor | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in step length (10m) | Evaluation of the step length walking 10 meters in a corridor | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in cadence (6m) | Evaluation of the cadence walking 6 meters in a corridor | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in cadence (10m) | Evaluation of the cadence walking 10 meters in a corridor | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in duration of phases in the gait cycle (6m) | Evaluation of the duration of phases in the gait cycle walking 6 meters in a corridor | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 
| Changes in duration of phases in the gait cycle (10m) | Evaluation of the duration of phases in the gait cycle walking 10 meters in a corridor | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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dog-assisted, gait, postural, communication, Human-animal interaction, fall risk