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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Autism Dev Disord / Effectiveness of a Standardized Equine-Assisted Therapy Prog...
Journal of autism and developmental disorders2015; 46(1); 1-9; doi: 10.1007/s10803-015-2530-6

Effectiveness of a Standardized Equine-Assisted Therapy Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract: In this study the effectiveness of an equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in improving adaptive and executive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was examined (children attending EAT, n = 15, control group n = 13; inclusion criteria: IQ > 70). Therapeutic sessions consisted in structured activities involving horses and included both work on the ground and riding. Results indicate an improvement in social functioning in the group attending EAT (compared to the control group) and a milder effect on motor abilities. Improved executive functioning was also observed (i.e. reduced planning time in a problem-solving task) at the end of the EAT program. Our findings provide further support for the use of animal-assisted intervention programs as complementary intervention strategies for children with ASD.
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Publication Date: 2015-07-27 PubMed ID: 26210515DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2530-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article examines the impact of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) on adaptive and executive behaviors in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The study found that EAT can enhance social functioning and, to a lesser extent, motor abilities. It also shows preliminary evidence of improved problem-solving capabilities among the participants following the therapy program.

Sample and Methodology

  • For this study, two comparative groups of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder were selected: an EAT attending group (15 children) and a control group that did not receive EAT (13 children).
  • The only inclusion criterion was that the children had an IQ of over 70.
  • The equine therapy sessions were specially designed and entailed structured activities such as interaction with and riding of horses.

Results and Findings

  • The research discovered notable improvements in social functioning in children who were part of the EAT program compared to those in the control team.
  • EAT was found to have a slight yet positive impact on motor abilities in the children. Improved executive functioning, such as more rapid planning during a problem-solving task, was observed among the children following the EAT program.

Conclusions and Impact

  • Findings from this study offer additional evidence in support of animal-assisted intervention programs as supplementary strategies for managing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
  • Improvements in social and motor functioning, combined with advancements in executive abilities, underpin the efficacy of equine-assisted therapy in enhancing the quality of life for children with ASD.

Cite This Article

APA
Borgi M, Loliva D, Cerino S, Chiarotti F, Venerosi A, Bramini M, Nonnis E, Marcelli M, Vinti C, De Santis C, Bisacco F, Fagerlie M, Frascarelli M, Cirulli F. (2015). Effectiveness of a Standardized Equine-Assisted Therapy Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord, 46(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2530-6

Publication

Journal of autism and developmental disorders
ISSN: 1573-3432
NlmUniqueID: 7904301
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 46
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-9

Researcher Affiliations

Borgi, Marta
  • Section of Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy. marta.borgi@iss.it.
Loliva, Dafne
  • Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Cerino, Stefania
  • Italian Society for Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Rome, Italy.
Chiarotti, Flavia
  • Section of Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Venerosi, Aldina
  • Section of Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Bramini, Maria
  • DSM ASL RM D, Rome, Italy.
Nonnis, Enrico
  • DSM ASL RM D, Rome, Italy.
Marcelli, Marco
  • UOC Neuropsichiatria infantile ASL VT, Viterbo, Italy.
Vinti, Claudia
  • A.S.D. Equitazione per tutti, Fiumicino, Rome, Italy.
De Santis, Chiara
  • A.S. Il giardino di Filippo, Viterbo, Italy.
Bisacco, Francesca
  • A.S.D. Associazione Rubens, Turin, Italy.
Fagerlie, Monica
  • A.S. Palidoro Equitazione, Rome, Italy.
Frascarelli, Massimo
  • Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Cirulli, Francesca
  • Section of Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnosis
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / therapy
  • Child
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
  • Executive Function
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Problem Solving
  • Social Adjustment
  • Treatment Outcome

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