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Complementary therapies in medicine2018; 42; 104-113; doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.11.004

Equine assisted activities and therapies in children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Abstract: The multifactorial nature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the reason why complementary and alternative methods of treatment are sought in order to support the classic approach. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) in ASD patients based on a review of the literature. Methods: A review of the literature and a meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. PUBMED, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov and PEDro databases were searched until July 20, 2017. Only articles published in English, in a journal with a review process, after 1999, with a control group or presentation of comparative pre-/post-therapy results in ASD patients, and clear inclusion/exclusion criteria were considered. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATQS).The meta-analysis of three studies was conducted. Results: A total of 15 studies with 390 participants (aged: 3-16 years) were included. The interaction between psychosocial functioning and EAAT was investigated in most studies. Improvement was reported in the following domains: socialization, engagement, maladaptive behaviors, and shorter reaction time in problem-solving situations after EAAT. The meta-analysis revealed no statistically significant differences for the investigated effects. Conclusions: Despite the need for further, more standardized research, the results of the studies included in this review allow us to conclude that EAAT may be a useful form of therapy in children with ASD.
Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2018-11-05 PubMed ID: 30670226DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2018.11.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

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 study reviews and analyzes previous research on the effects of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The researchers conclude that EAAT may help improve socialization, engagement, maladaptive behaviors, and problem-solving skills in children with ASD, despite requiring more standardized research.

Research Objective

The research aimed to gauge the efficacy of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) in patients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Because ASD is multifactorial, there’s an ongoing search for alternative methods of treatment to supplement the conventional approach.

Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
  • The team utilized multiple databases for their study, including PUBMED, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, and PEDro, with a cut-off search date on July 20, 2017.
  • They only considered English-language articles from peer-reviewed journals published after 1999, featuring a control group or comparative pre- and post-therapy ASD patient results, and having clear inclusion or exclusion criteria.
  • The Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies (QATQS) was used to measure the methodological quality of the included studies. A meta-analysis was carried out on three select studies.

Results

  • A total of 15 studies involving 390 participants, aged between 3 and 16, were included in the review.
  • Most of the studies studied the interaction between psychosocial functioning and EAAT.
  • Improvement in socialization, engagement, maladaptive behaviors, and reaction time in problem-solving situations was reported post therapy.
  • The meta-analysis, however, exhibited no statistically significant differences regarding the examined effects.

Conclusions

The results of the studies featured in the review suggest EAAT could be a beneficial form of therapy for children with ASD. Despite the promising findings, the authors stress the need for more standardized research to substantiate these initial findings.

Cite This Article

APA
Trzmiel T, Purandare B, Michalak M, Zasadzka E, Pawlaczyk M. (2018). Equine assisted activities and therapies in children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and a meta-analysis. Complement Ther Med, 42, 104-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.11.004

Publication

Complementary therapies in medicine
ISSN: 1873-6963
NlmUniqueID: 9308777
Country: Scotland
Language: English
Volume: 42
Pages: 104-113
PII: S0965-2299(18)30833-1

Researcher Affiliations

Trzmiel, Tomasz
  • Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland. Electronic address: ttrzmiel@ump.edu.pl.
Purandare, Barbara
  • Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland.
Michalak, Michał
  • Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland.
Zasadzka, Ewa
  • Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland.
Pawlaczyk, Mariola
  • Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / therapy
  • Behavior Therapy / methods
  • Child
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Horses
  • Humans

Citations

This article has been cited 21 times.
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