Effects of Animal-assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication of Adults With Autism: a Controlled Trial.
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 24
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Changes in walking performance (6m)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
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
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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Non Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Supportive Care
- Masking
- Single (Investigator)
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 40 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
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.
Arms & Interventions
Control group
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 group
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.
Intervention: dog-assisted therapy (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Changes in walking performance (6m)
Time Frame: At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)
Evaluation of the ability to walk 6 meters in a corridor (time spent)
Changes in walking performance (10m)
Time Frame: At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)
Evaluation of the ability to walk 10 meters in a corridor (time spent)
Secondary Outcomes
- Changes in communication with dog(During sessions (first, intermediate and last one))
- Changes in balance and risk of falling(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in step length (6m)(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in step length (10m)(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in cadence (6m)(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in cadence (10m)(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in communication without dog(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in the ability to climb and descend stairs(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in duration of phases in the gait cycle (10m)(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in duration of phases in the gait cycle (6m)(At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
Investigators
Daniel Collado-Mateo
Assistant Professor
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos