Effects of Hippotherapy on the Motivation and Social Interaction/Social Communication of Children With Autism
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of Alberta
- Enrollment
- 8
- Primary Endpoint
- Rater coding of engagement
Study Overview
Brief Summary
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
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.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 3 Years to 8 Years (Child)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
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.
Arms & Interventions
Equine assisted occupational therapy
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
Intervention: Equine assisted occupational therapy (Other)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Rater coding of engagement
Time Frame: One 5 minute segment per session for five months
Trained coders rated the proportion of time the child was engaged in the activities
Secondary Outcomes
- Rater coding of enjoyment(One 5 minute segment per session for five months)