A Mixed Methods Investigation of Equine-assisted Occupational Therapy for Children With Autism
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 8
- 试验地点
- 1
- 主要终点
- Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings of individualized occupational performance goals
研究概览
简要总结
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often participate in equine-assisted interventions, where practitioners partner with horses to improve the health and well-being of the clients they serve. One of these interventions is equine-assisted occupational therapy (EAOT). The first aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of EAOT at improving the social, behavioral, and occupational functioning of children with ASD. Second, this study aims to conceptually develop the theory of change that guides how horses are integrated into occupational therapy for children with ASD. Eight children with ASD will participate in 10 weeks of EAOT. The quantitative strand will involve caregivers filling out measures of social functioning, self-regulation, and occupational performance on a weekly basis. Investigators hypothesize children will demonstrate improved performance on these measures during the intervention in comparison to baseline. The qualitative strand will consist of interviews with the providing occupational therapists aimed at understanding the theory behind why the intervention is effective. The results of this study will have implications for children with ASD, their families, and occupational therapists providing services to individuals with ASD.
详细描述
The proposed study will implement a mixed-methods investigation of equine-assisted occupational therapy (EAOT) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
QUANTIATIVE STRAND
PARTICIPANTS Investigators will distribute fliers to local schools and ASD organizations to recruit eight participants for the study. Investigators will screen children for inclusion through a four-step process. They will call interested participants to ensure eligibility for the study, provide basic information, and answer any questions. Next, investigators will mail interested participants a packet that includes the SCQ, the ABC-C, and Hearts and Horses Enrollment Packet, along with a cover letter and instructions to mail back the completed forms, which will include a physician's signature stating the child is medically cleared to ride horses. Next, eligible participants will attend a screening at Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center to ensure they meet all PATH, Intl standards, and can ride a horse for 10 minutes while following safety rules. Finally, eligible participants will attend a final screening visit that will include administration of the ADOS-2, Leiter-3, and Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3). Eight participants who meet criteria will be enrolled.
SCREENING MEASURES. Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ). This parent-report measure is a quick, 10-minute screen for ASD. A score of 15 or above indicates the individual likely has ASD. The SCQ has strong discrimination between children with and without ASD and is widely used for entry into ASD research studies.
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). The ADOS- 2 is a play-based assessment of communication, social interaction and behaviors, and is often used to confirm a clinical diagnosis of ASD. The ADOS has strong predictive validity for diagnosis of ASD. Participants who meet clinical-cutoffs for ASD will be included in the study. The ADOS-2 requires extensive training to administer reliably; an investigator who has obtained research-level reliability will administer the ADOS-2 to potential participants.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Na
- 干预模型
- Single Group
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 5 Years 至 14 Years（Child）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •aged 5-14
- •have an ASD diagnosis by a community provider
- •score ≥15 on the Social Communication Questionnaire
- •score ≥11 on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community
- •meets clinical cut-offs for ASD on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition
- •score ≥55 on the Leiter International Performance Scale, Third Edition
- •can tolerate a helmet
- •can participate in 10-minutes of riding while following safety rules
- •meets physical, mental, and emotional standards set forth by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International
排除标准
- •behavioral issues that could interfere with safety
- •2 hours or more of previous experience with equine-assisted interventions in the last 6 months
- •weight exceeding 200 pounds
研究组 & 干预措施
Equine-assisted Occupational Therapy
All children will receive the Equine-assisted Occupational Therapy (EAOT) intervention, which includes occupational therapy administered in an equine environment. Common intervention activities include grooming, tacking, mounting, and riding the horse.
干预措施: Equine-assisted Occupational Therapy (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ratings of individualized occupational performance goals
时间窗: daily, during baseline and intervention phases (up to 119 days)
Parents rate their child's performance on an individualized goal using a sliding scale. The minimum score of 0, indicated on the left of the scale, denotes poor performance, while the maximum score 100, on the right of the scale, denotes excellent performance.
次要结局
- Change in Hyperactivity(Weekly during baseline and intervention phases, up to 18 weeks. Also at 3-month follow up.)
- Change in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure(4 Time Points: initial, after 5-7 weeks of no-treatment baseline, after 10 weeks of intervention, and after a 3-month follow-up period.)
- Change in Social Functioning(4 Time Points: initial, after 5-7 weeks of no-treatment baseline, after 10 weeks of intervention, and after a 3-month follow-up period.)
- Change in Irritability(Weekly during baseline and intervention phases, up to 18 weeks. Also during 3-month follow-up.)
研究者
Wendy Wood
Director of Research, Temple Grandin Equine Center
Colorado State University