Clinical trial NCT06057311: Equine Assisted Therapy in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Official title: Effectiveness of Equine Assisted Therapy in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Study
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Equine-Assisted Therapy
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Keywords: Equine-assisted therapy
Hippotherapy
Autism spectrum disorder
Sleep
Balance
Activities of daily living
Quality of life
Lead sponsor: Izmir Democracy University
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Turkey Jockey Club Equine Therapy Center, Izmir, Turkey
First posted: 2023-09-28
Enrollment: 33
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 3
Maximum age (years): 14
Standard ages: CHILD
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Brief 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.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with ASD,
* Having \<60 kg in body weight
* Having no shunt,
* Having no allergy to feathers or dust,
* Having not previously received equine-assisted therapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having hip or shoulder dislocation, osteoporosis/coxarthrosis,
* Having uncontrollable seizures,
* Having aneurysm,
* Having a recent history of fracture,
* Having decubitus,
* Having atlantoaxial instability,
* Having hemophilia,
* Using anticoagulant drugs,
* Having acute arthritis,
* Having an unstable spine,
* Having acute disc hernia,
* Having spondylolisthesis,
* Having spinal fusion,
* Having no control of the head.

Other exclusion criteria related to therapies;

* Inability to adapt to the therapy,
* Having a fear of horses,
* The occurrence of seizures or worsening of the existing seizure status,
* Worsening of vital signs,
* Requesting to quit the study participation

Primary outcomes:
measure: Assessment of Activities of Daily Living
timeFrame: Change from baseline at 6 weeks
measure: The Assessment of Balance
timeFrame: Change from baseline at 6 weeks
measure: Assessment of Quality of Life
timeFrame: Change from baseline at 6 weeks
measure: Assessment of Sleep Habits
timeFrame: Change from baseline at 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: İzmir
country: Turkey
facility: Izmir Democracy University
Study officials:
affiliation: Izmir Democracy University
name: Betul Taspinar, Prof. Dr.
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: