FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Vet Sci / Replication Pilot Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding and ...
Frontiers in veterinary science2019; 5; 312; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00312

Replication Pilot Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding and Cortisol Collection With Children on the Autism Spectrum.

Abstract: We aimed to determine whether results of our prior randomized control trial [RCT; NCT02301195, (1)] of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could be at a different riding center and if treatment effects also included differences in the expression of associations between problem behavior and the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Participants with ASD ( = 16) ages 6-16 years were randomized by nonverbal intelligence quotient to either a 10-week THR group ( = 8) or no horse interaction barn activity (BA) control group ( = 8). Outcome measures were a standard speech-language sample and caregiver-report of aberrant and social behaviors. Participants' saliva was sampled weekly at a consistent afternoon time immediately pre- and 20 min' post-condition (later assayed for cortisol). Intent-to-treat analysis revealed that compared to controls, THR participants had significant improvements in hyperactivity, and social awareness, and significant improvements at the 0.1 significance level in irritability and social communication behaviors. There were no significant improvements in number of words or new words spoken during the standard language sample. Linear mixed effects model analysis indicated that greater weekly pre-lesson irritability levels were associated with smaller post-lesson reduction in salivary cortisol levels, and greater weekly pre-lesson hyperactivity levels were associated with smaller cortisol reduction in the THR group, but not in the BA control group. The findings represent a partial replication of prior results (1), extend prior observations to include THR effects on biobehavioral relationships and suggest that cortisol could be a target mediator for THR effects on irritability and hyperactivity behaviors in youth with ASD. Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder; http://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT02301195.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2019-01-14 PubMed ID: 30693284PubMed Central: PMC6339889DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00312Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

The research article reports on a trial investigating the effects of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) on children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The researchers particularly focused on whether THR could bring about improvements in problem behaviors and, correspondingly, changes in the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis as indicated by cortisol levels in saliva.

Research Background

  • The research builds on a prior randomized control trial (RCT) that looked into the benefits of THR for children and adolescents with ASD.
  • The main objective in this pilot study was to find out whether the results of the previous RCT could be replicated in a different riding center, with a focus on whether there were treatment effects on the HPA axis’ activity, linked to problem behaviors.

Research Method

  • Participants were young individuals with ASD, aged between 6 to 16 years.
  • They were randomly split into two groups, with eight of them participating in a 10-week THR program and the remaining eight serving as the control group with no horse interaction but undertaking barn activities instead.
  • Outcome measures listed were speech-language samples and assessments of aberrant and social behaviours reported by caregivers. Saliva samples were also collected weekly for determination of cortisol levels.

Findings

  • Results illustrated that those in the THR group exhibited significant improvements in hyperactivity and social awareness, as well as notable improvements in irritability and social communication behaviors at the 0.1 significance level.
  • However, the study didn’t find any significant improvements in the number of words or new words spoken during the standard language trial.
  • The study observed that higher weekly pre-lesson irritability levels correlated with smaller post-lesson reductions in salivary cortisol levels. Similarly, higher pre-lesson hyperactivity levels correlated with smaller cortisol reductions – these associations were specific to the THR group only.

Implications

  • The findings broadly correlate with past studies, indicating a partial replication of previous results. The study also provides fresh insights into the impact of THR on biobehavioral relationships in individuals with ASD.
  • Specifically, the results suggest that cortisol, as a biomarker of stress response, could be a concrete target mediator for THR effects on hyperactivity and irritability behaviors in ASD youth.
  • Thus, THR may be a viable and beneficial treatment method for managing certain behavioral challenges in children and teenagers with ASD.

Cite This Article

APA
Pan Z, Granger DA, Guérin NA, Shoffner A, Gabriels RL. (2019). Replication Pilot Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding and Cortisol Collection With Children on the Autism Spectrum. Front Vet Sci, 5, 312. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00312

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 5
Pages: 312
PII: 312

Researcher Affiliations

Pan, Zhaoxing
  • Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.
  • Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States.
Granger, Douglas A
  • Institute for Interdisciplinary Salivary Bioscience Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.
  • Bloomberg School of Public Health and School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
Guérin, Noémie A
  • Center for the Human-Animal Bond of Purdue, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States.
Shoffner, Amy
  • Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.
Gabriels, Robin L
  • Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States.
  • Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States.

References

This article includes 41 references
  1. Gabriels RL, Pan Z, Dechant B, Agnew JA, Brim N, Mesibov G. Randomized Controlled Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder.. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2015 Jul;54(7):541-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.04.007pmc: PMC4475278pubmed: 26088658google scholar: lookup
  2. American Psychiatric A, American Psychiatric Association DSMTF, Joint Information Service of the American Psychiatric A, The National Association for Mental H, American Medico-Psychological A, American Psychiatric Institute for R. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association; (2013).
  3. Ghaziuddin M, Ghaziuddin N, Greden J. Depression in persons with autism: implications for research and clinical care.. J Autism Dev Disord 2002 Aug;32(4):299-306.
    doi: 10.1023/A:1016330802348pubmed: 12199134google scholar: lookup
  4. Leyfer OT, Folstein SE, Bacalman S, Davis NO, Dinh E, Morgan J, Tager-Flusberg H, Lainhart JE. Comorbid psychiatric disorders in children with autism: interview development and rates of disorders.. J Autism Dev Disord 2006 Oct;36(7):849-61.
    doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0123-0pubmed: 16845581google scholar: lookup
  5. Matson JL, Nebel-Schwalm M. Assessing challenging behaviors in children with autism spectrum disorders: a review.. Res Dev Disabil 2007 Nov-Dec;28(6):567-79.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2006.08.001pubmed: 16973329google scholar: lookup
  6. Simonoff E, Pickles A, Charman T, Chandler S, Loucas T, Baird G. Psychiatric disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders: prevalence, comorbidity, and associated factors in a population-derived sample.. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2008 Aug;47(8):921-9.
    doi: 10.1097/CHI.0b013e318179964fpubmed: 18645422google scholar: lookup
  7. LoVullo SV, Matson JL. Comorbid psychopathology in adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and intellectual disabilities.. Res Dev Disabil 2009 Nov-Dec;30(6):1288-96.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2009.05.004pubmed: 19505790google scholar: lookup
  8. Smith KR, Matson JL. Social skills: differences among adults with intellectual disabilities, co-morbid autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy.. Res Dev Disabil 2010 Nov-Dec;31(6):1366-72.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.07.002pubmed: 20692808google scholar: lookup
  9. Smith KR, Matson JL. Psychopathology: differences among adults with intellectually disabled, comorbid autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy.. Res Dev Disabil 2010 May-Jun;31(3):743-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.01.016pubmed: 20206472google scholar: lookup
  10. Smith KR, Matson JL. Behavior problems: differences among intellectually disabled adults with co-morbid autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy.. Res Dev Disabil 2010 Sep-Oct;31(5):1062-9.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2010.04.003pubmed: 20452741google scholar: lookup
  11. Mayes SD, Calhoun SL, Murray MJ, Ahuja M, Smith LA. Anxiety, depression, and irritability in children with autism relative to other neuropsychiatric disorders and typical development. Res Autism Spectr Disord (2011) 5:474–85.
    doi: 10.1016/j.rasd.2010.06.012google scholar: lookup
  12. Siegel M, Gabriels RL. Psychiatric hospital treatment of children with autism and serious behavioral disturbance.. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2014 Jan;23(1):125-42.
    doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2013.07.004pubmed: 24231172google scholar: lookup
  13. McGonigle JJ, Venkat A, Beresford C, Campbell TP, Gabriels RL. Management of agitation in individuals with autism spectrum disorders in the emergency department.. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2014 Jan;23(1):83-95.
    doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2013.08.003pubmed: 24231169google scholar: lookup
  14. Nayfack AM, Huffman LC, Feldman HM, Chan J, Saynina O, Wise PH. Hospitalizations of children with autism increased from 1999 to 2009.. J Autism Dev Disord 2014 May;44(5):1087-94.
    doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1965-xpubmed: 24122446google scholar: lookup
  15. O'Haire ME. Animal-assisted intervention for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic literature review.. J Autism Dev Disord 2013 Jul;43(7):1606-22.
    doi: 10.1007/s10803-012-1707-5pubmed: 23124442google scholar: lookup
  16. O'Haire ME. Research on animal-assisted intervention and autism spectrum disorder, 2012–2015. Appl Develop Sci (2017) 21:200–16.
    doi: 10.1080/10888691.2016.1243988google scholar: lookup
  17. Aman MG, Singh NN, Stewart AW, Field CJ. The aberrant behavior checklist: a behavior rating scale for the assessment of treatment effects.. Am J Ment Defic 1985 Mar;89(5):485-91.
    pubmed: 3993694
  18. Constantino JN. The Social Responsiveness Scale. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services; (2002).
  19. Harris A, Williams JM. The Impact of a Horse Riding Intervention on the Social Functioning of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017 Jul 14;14(7).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph14070776pmc: PMC5551214pubmed: 28708075google scholar: lookup
  20. Anestis MD, Anestis JC, Zawilinski LL, Hopkins TA, Lilienfeld SO. Equine-related treatments for mental disorders lack empirical support: a systematic review of empirical investigations.. J Clin Psychol 2014 Dec;70(12):1115-32.
    doi: 10.1002/jclp.22113pubmed: 24953870google scholar: lookup
  21. Arnold LE. The Alone Rangers and Silver.. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2015 Jul;54(7):535-6.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.04.010pubmed: 26088655google scholar: lookup
  22. Beetz A, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Julius H, Kotrschal K. Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: the possible role of oxytocin.. Front Psychol 2012;3:234.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00234pmc: PMC3408111pubmed: 22866043google scholar: lookup
  23. van Steensel FJ, Bögels SM, Perrin S. Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents with autistic spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis.. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2011 Sep;14(3):302-17.
    doi: 10.1007/s10567-011-0097-0pmc: PMC3162631pubmed: 21735077google scholar: lookup
  24. Berkowitz L. Aggression: Its Causes, Consequences, and Control. New York, NY: Mcgraw-Hill Book Company; (1993).
  25. Granger DA, Fortunato CK, Beltzer EK, Virag M, Bright MA, Out D. Focus on methodology: salivary bioscience and research on adolescence: an integrated perspective.. J Adolesc 2012 Aug;35(4):1081-95.
    doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.01.005pubmed: 22401843google scholar: lookup
  26. Taylor JL, Corbett BA. A review of rhythm and responsiveness of cortisol in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2014 Nov;49:207-28.
    doi: 10.10.1016/j.psyneuen.2014.07.015pmc: PMC4165710pubmed: 25108163google scholar: lookup
  27. Mikita N, Hollocks MJ, Papadopoulos AS, Aslani A, Harrison S, Leibenluft E, Simonoff E, Stringaris A. Irritability in boys with autism spectrum disorders: an investigation of physiological reactivity.. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2015 Oct;56(10):1118-26.
    doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12382pmc: PMC4737220pubmed: 25626926google scholar: lookup
  28. Corbett BA, Mendoza S, Abdullah M, Wegelin JA, Levine S. Cortisol circadian rhythms and response to stress in children with autism.. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2006 Jan;31(1):59-68.
    doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2005.05.011pubmed: 16005570google scholar: lookup
  29. Spratt EG, Nicholas JS, Brady KT, Carpenter LA, Hatcher CR, Meekins KA, Furlanetto RW, Charles JM. Enhanced cortisol response to stress in children in autism.. J Autism Dev Disord 2012 Jan;42(1):75-81.
    doi: 10.1007/s10803-011-1214-0pmc: PMC3245359pubmed: 21424864google scholar: lookup
  30. Pendry P, Smith AN, Roeter SM. Randomized trial examines effects of equine facilitated learning on adolescents' basal cortisol levels. Hum Ani Interact Bull (2014) 2:80–95.
  31. Viau R, Arsenault-Lapierre G, Fecteau S, Champagne N, Walker CD, Lupien S. Effect of service dogs on salivary cortisol secretion in autistic children.. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2010 Sep;35(8):1187-93.
    doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.02.004pubmed: 20189722google scholar: lookup
  32. Tabares C, Vicente F, Sánchez S, Aparicio A, Alejo S, Cubero J. Quantification of hormonal changes by effects of hippotherapy in the autistic population. Neurochem J (2012) 6:311–6.
    doi: 10.1134/S1819712412040125google scholar: lookup
  33. Rutter M, Bailey A, Lord C. Social Communication Questionnaire. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services; (2003).
  34. Lord C, Rutter M, diLavore PC, Risi S, Gotham K, Bishop S. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule 2nd Edition Manual. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services; (2012).
  35. Roid GH, Miller LJ. Leiter International Performance Scale-Revised (Leiter-R). Wood Dale, IL: Stoelting; (1997).
  36. PATH International. PATH International. (2011).
  37. Nauta MH, Scholing A, Rapee RM, Abbott M, Spence SH, Waters A. A parent-report measure of children's anxiety: psychometric properties and comparison with child-report in a clinic and normal sample.. Behav Res Ther 2004 Jul;42(7):813-39.
    doi: 10.1016/S0005-7967(03)00200-6pubmed: 15149901google scholar: lookup
  38. Shoffner A, Gabriels R. Therapeutic Horseback Riding Intervention Manual. Unpublished Manusript, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO (2008).
  39. Miller JF, Chapman RS. SALT: A computer program for the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin; (2000).
  40. Clow A, Hucklebridge F, Stalder T, Evans P, Thorn L. The cortisol awakening response: more than a measure of HPA axis function.. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2010 Sep;35(1):97-103.
    doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2009.12.011pubmed: 20026350google scholar: lookup
  41. Kirschbaum C, Wüst S, Faig HG, Hellhammer DH. Heritability of cortisol responses to human corticotropin-releasing hormone, ergometry, and psychological stress in humans.. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1992 Dec;75(6):1526-30.
    pubmed: 1464659doi: 10.1210/jcem.75.6.1464659google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 9 times.
  1. Nieforth LO, Schwichtenberg AJ, O'Haire ME. Animal-Assisted Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of the Literature from 2016 to 2020.. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 2023 Jun;10(2):255-280.
    doi: 10.1007/s40489-021-00291-6pubmed: 37313251google scholar: lookup
  2. Xiao N, Shinwari K, Kiselev S, Huang X, Li B, Qi J. Effects of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023 Feb 1;20(3).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph20032630pubmed: 36767996google scholar: lookup
  3. Chen S, Zhang Y, Zhao M, Du X, Wang Y, Liu X. Effects of Therapeutic Horseback-Riding Program on Social and Communication Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Nov 4;19(21).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114449pubmed: 36361327google scholar: lookup
  4. Wagner C, Grob C, Hediger K. Specific and Non-specific Factors of Animal-Assisted Interventions Considered in Research: A Systematic Review.. Front Psychol 2022;13:931347.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.931347pubmed: 35837630google scholar: lookup
  5. Sissons JH, Blakemore E, Shafi H, Skotny N, Lloyd DM. Calm with horses? A systematic review of animal-assisted interventions for improving social functioning in children with autism.. Autism 2022 Aug;26(6):1320-1340.
    doi: 10.1177/13623613221085338pubmed: 35403450google scholar: lookup
  6. Amado-Fuentes M, Gozalo M, Garcia-Gomez A, Barrios-Fernandez S. Impact of Equine-Assisted Interventions on Heart Rate Variability in Two Participants with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Pilot Study.. Children (Basel) 2021 Nov 22;8(11).
    doi: 10.3390/children8111073pubmed: 34828786google scholar: lookup
  7. Kemeny B, Burk S, Hutchins D, Gramlich C. Therapeutic Riding or Mindfulness: Comparative Effectiveness of Two Recreational Therapy Interventions for Adolescents with Autism.. J Autism Dev Disord 2022 Jun;52(6):2438-2462.
    doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05136-zpubmed: 34131850google scholar: lookup
  8. Dimolareva M, Dunn TJ. Animal-Assisted Interventions for School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-Analysis.. J Autism Dev Disord 2021 Jul;51(7):2436-2449.
    doi: 10.1007/s10803-020-04715-wpubmed: 32990899google scholar: lookup
  9. Griffin JA, Hurley K, McCune S. Human-Animal Interaction Research: Progress and Possibilities.. Front Psychol 2019;10:2803.
    doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02803pubmed: 31920846google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,359 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.