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Frontiers in pediatrics2022; 10; 884054; doi: 10.3389/fped.2022.884054

Self-Regulation Mediates Therapeutic Horseback Riding Social Functioning Outcomes in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Abstract: Emerging evidence suggests therapeutic horseback riding improves self-regulation behaviors, social functioning, and language in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It has been theorized that interacting with horses is calming for youth with ASD, which may influence social and language outcomes. The current study is an exploratory secondary mediation analysis of a previously published randomized controlled trial of therapeutic horseback riding for youth with ASD. We hypothesized that self-regulation would mediate therapeutic horseback riding's effect on social and language outcomes in youth with ASD. Results indicate that self-regulation mediates therapeutic horseback riding's effect on social, but not language outcomes. This paper provides support for the hypothesis that interacting with horses may have a calming effect that serves as a platform for improving social outcomes in youth with autism.
Copyright © 2022 Peters, Pan, Christensen and Gabriels.
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Publication Date: 2022-06-28 PubMed ID: 35837236PubMed Central: PMC9273942DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.884054Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 explores the impact of therapeutic horseback riding on ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) affected youths’ social functioning and language skills, suggesting that the activity’s calming nature might help enhance these outcomes. However, it only confirms that the self-regulation element of these interactions bettered social outcomes, with no substantial effect on language outcomes.

Objective of the Study

The study aimed to investigate if the practice of therapeutic horseback riding could significantly improve self-regulation behaviors, social functioning, and language skills in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The rationale behind this investigative approach was the calming influence of interacting with horses, hypothesized to be impactful in bettering social and language outcomes.

Methodology

  • The research was an exploratory secondary mediation analysis technique.
  • The technique was applied to examine the effectiveness of horseback riding therapy based on a previously published randomized controlled trial.
  • The main hypothesis outlined was that self-regulation would mediate the effect of therapeutic horseback riding on social and language outcomes in ASD affected youth.

Results of the Research

  • The results indicated the significant role of self-regulation in mediating the effects of therapeutic horseback riding on social outcomes.
  • The findings, however, did not show any substantial mediation effect of self-regulation on language outcomes.

Conclusion

The study reinforces the idea that interacting with horses could have a pacifying effect that aids in improving social outcomes in youths with ASD. However, it cannot conclusively establish a connection between therapeutic horseback riding and the improvement of language outcomes in youth with ASD via the mediation of self-regulation.

Cite This Article

APA
Peters BC, Pan Z, Christensen H, Gabriels RL. (2022). Self-Regulation Mediates Therapeutic Horseback Riding Social Functioning Outcomes in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Pediatr, 10, 884054. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.884054

Publication

Frontiers in pediatrics
ISSN: 2296-2360
NlmUniqueID: 101615492
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 884054
PII: 884054

Researcher Affiliations

Peters, B Caitlin
  • Temple Grandin Equine Center, Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States.
Pan, Zhaoxing
  • Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, United States.
Christensen, Hannah
  • Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, United States.
Gabriels, Robin L
  • Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, United States.
  • Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, United States.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer TG declared a shared affiliation with the author BP.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
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