Equine-assisted Occupational Therapy for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have difficulty engaging in activities. This study examined the effects of equine-assisted occupational therapy for 7 children with ASD ages 4 to 8 years. A multiple baseline design was used. For each child, there were 9 to 11 baseline assessments, 9 to 12 intervention sessions, and 4 follow-up sessions.

Detailed Description
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Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have difficulty engaging in activities. Based on the literature, the unique features of horses may be beneficial to children with ASD. There is limited research supporting the use of horses in occupational therapy interventions. This study examined the effects of equine-assisted occupational therapy for 7 children with ASD ages 4 to 8 years. A multiple baseline design was used. For each child, there were 9 to 11 baseline assessments (gross and fine motor play activities), 9 to 12 intervention sessions, and 4 follow-up sessions (gross and fine motor play activities). Intervention sessions were 40 to 60 minutes long and consisted of time spent on the horse and in horse related activities. Children were videorecorded in all conditions. Trained coders scored randomly selected segments of the video recording. Inter-rater reliability was good.

Official Title
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Effects of Hippotherapy on the Motivation and Social Interaction/Social Communication of Children With Autism

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Equine assisted occupational therapy


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorder by a multidisciplinary team, between ages 3 and 8, understand basic English, willing to ride a horse, no horse riding in the past 3 months. Exclusion Criteria: severe of repeated aggressive behaviour, comorbidities such as deafness that would interfere with intervention.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 3 Years
Maximum Age: 8 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: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Equine assisted occupational therapy<br>Intervention was one 40 to 60 minute session per week. Half of the session was spent riding a horse and half was spent doing horse related activities. Children had 9 to 12 sessions | Other: Equine assisted occupational therapy<br>* Intervention was one 40 to 60 minute session per week. Half of the session was spent riding a horse and half was spent doing horse related activities. Children had 9 to 12 sessions<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rater coding of engagement | Trained coders rated the proportion of time the child was engaged in the activities | One 5 minute segment per session for five months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rater coding of enjoyment | Trained coders rated the number of times the child expressed enjoyment. | One 5 minute segment per session for five months |