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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Autism Dev Disord / The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on social functio...
Journal of autism and developmental disorders2009; 39(9); 1261-1267; doi: 10.1007/s10803-009-0734-3

The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on social functioning in children with autism.

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of therapeutic horseback riding on social functioning in children with autism. We hypothesized that participants in the experimental condition (n = 19), compared to those on the wait-list control (n = 15), would demonstrate significant improvement in social functioning following a 12-weeks horseback riding intervention. Autistic children exposed to therapeutic horseback riding exhibited greater sensory seeking, sensory sensitivity, social motivation, and less inattention, distractibility, and sedentary behaviors. The results provide evidence that therapeutic horseback riding may be a viable therapeutic option in treating children with autism spectrum disorders.
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Publication Date: 2009-04-07 PubMed ID: 19350376DOI: 10.1007/s10803-009-0734-3Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • 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 study investigates the impact of therapeutic horseback riding on the social behaviors of children with autism and suggests that the technique could be a potential therapeutic option for treating Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Research Scope and Methodology

  • The study hypothesized that children with autism who participated in a 12-week program of therapeutic horseback riding (experimental group; sample size = 19) would exhibit improved social functioning compared to their counterparts who were on a wait-list control (control group; sample size = 15).
  • The core focus was to examine whether the practical implementation of therapeutic horseback riding could enhance the sensory seeking, sensory sensitivity, and social motivation in autistic children, and decrease their inattention, distractibility, and sedentary behaviors.

Key Findings

  • The experimental group that was exposed to therapeutic horseback riding demonstrated increased sensory seeking, heightened sensory sensitivity, improved social motivation, and showed fewer signs of inattention, distractibility, and sedentary behaviors compared to the control group.
  • These improvements in the experimental group suggest that therapeutic horseback riding can potentially influence positive changes in social behaviors and sensory responses among children with autism spectrum disorders.

Implications

  • The findings present therapeutic horseback riding as a potentially viable and effective therapeutic intervention for treating children with autism spectrum disorders.
  • This provides a new avenue of non-pharmacological treatments for autism rather than relying solely on drug therapies, thereby increasing the range of options available for managing the condition and improving the quality of life for those with autism.

Limitations and Future Research

  • While this initial study indicates a positive correlation between therapeutic horseback riding and improvements in social functioning in children with autism, the sample size was relatively small. Future research could include larger sample sizes to validate these findings and further explore this treatment option.

Cite This Article

APA
Bass MM, Duchowny CA, Llabre MM. (2009). The effect of therapeutic horseback riding on social functioning in children with autism. J Autism Dev Disord, 39(9), 1261-1267. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0734-3

Publication

Journal of autism and developmental disorders
ISSN: 1573-3432
NlmUniqueID: 7904301
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 9
Pages: 1261-1267

Researcher Affiliations

Bass, Margaret M
  • Good Hope Equestrian Training Center, Homestead, FL, USA.
Duchowny, Catherine A
    Llabre, Maria M

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Attention
      • Autistic Disorder / diagnosis
      • Autistic Disorder / psychology
      • Autistic Disorder / rehabilitation
      • Awareness
      • Child
      • Child, Preschool
      • Combined Modality Therapy
      • Communication
      • Female
      • Horses
      • Humans
      • Male
      • Motor Activity
      • Occupational Therapy
      • Perceptual Disorders / diagnosis
      • Perceptual Disorders / psychology
      • Perceptual Disorders / rehabilitation
      • Physical Therapy Modalities
      • Social Behavior
      • Speech Therapy
      • Sports / psychology

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