A Mixed Methods Investigation of Equine-assisted Occupational Therapy for Children With Autism

Completed · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Autism Spectrum Disorder

In brief

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often participate in equine-assisted interventions, where practitioners partner with horses to improve the health and well-being of the clients they serve. One of these interventions is equine-assisted occupational therapy (EAOT). The first aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of EAOT at improving the social, behavioral, and occupational functioning of children with ASD. Second, this study aims to conceptually develop the theory of change that guides how horses are integrated into occupational therapy for children with ASD. Eight children with ASD will participate in 10 weeks of EAOT. The quantitative strand will involve caregivers filling out measures of social functioning, self-regulation, and occupational performance on a weekly basis. Investigators hypothesize children will demonstrate improved performance on these measures during the intervention in comparison to baseline. The qualitative strand will consist of interviews with the providing occupational therapists aimed at understanding the theory behind why the intervention is effective. The results of this study will have implications for children with ASD, their families, and occupational therapists providing services to individuals with ASD.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT03493347

Run by

Colorado State University

People needed

8

Starts

2017-07-24

Expected to finish

2018-12-31

Last updated by the study team

2019-04-12

Who can join

Age: 5 and older, up to 14. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• aged 5-14
• have an ASD diagnosis by a community provider
• score ≥15 on the Social Communication Questionnaire
• score ≥11 on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community
• meets clinical cut-offs for ASD on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition
• score ≥55 on the Leiter International Performance Scale, Third Edition
• can tolerate a helmet
• can participate in 10-minutes of riding while following safety rules
• meets physical, mental, and emotional standards set forth by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International

You may not qualify if…

• behavioral issues that could interfere with safety
• 2 hours or more of previous experience with equine-assisted interventions in the last 6 months
• weight exceeding 200 pounds

Where it is running

• Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center — Loveland, Colorado, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

Trial information comes from ClinicalTrials.gov and is refreshed daily. TrialsForMe does not provide medical care and does not run the studies it lists.