Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
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Ajzenman HF, Standeven JW, Shurtleff TL
Am J Occup Ther. (2013)
Description
The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether hippotherapy increased function and participation in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We hypothesized improvements in motor control, which might increase adaptive behaviors and participation in daily activities. Six children with ASD ages 5-12 participated in 12 weekly 45-min hippotherapy sessions. Measures pre- and post-hippotherapy included the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II and the Child Activity Card Sort. Motor control was measured preintervention and postintervention using a video motion capture system and force plates.
Results
Postural sway significantly decreased postintervention. Significant increases were observed in overall adaptive behaviors (receptive communication and coping) and in participation in self-care, low-demand leisure, and social interactions.
Conclusions from This Review
Postural sway significantly decreased postintervention. Significant increases were observed in overall adaptive behaviors (receptive communication and coping) and in participation in self-care, low-demand leisure, and social interactions. These results suggest that hippotherapy has a positive influence on children with ASD and can be a useful treatment tool for this population.
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Al-Shirawi M, Al-zayer R.
European Scientific Journal (2018)
Description
Cross-sectional quasi- experimental research design was carried out to examine whether the delivering series of therapeutic horseback riding intervention resulted in an enhancement of sensory characteristics required for effective sensory possessing in children with autism for the experimental group compared to the control group. The participants of this study were 16 children with autism recruited from Al-Wafaa Center for Autism Related Disabilities in Bhrain. It was hypothesized that children with autism provided with Therapeutic Horseback riding in a natural setting (n= 8) would exhibit improvement in sensory processing compared to children who did not get the treatment (n= 8) following an 8- consecutive weeks of therapeutic horseback riding activity.
Results
The result of this study indicated that therapeutic horseback riding has a positive impact on sensory profile of children with autism across all sensory dimensions; visual, auditory, smell, tolerance, dehlez, and movement. Further research is needed to allow the use of larger experimental and control samples, and to allow longitudinal studies in order to evaluate the duration of intervention benefits.
Conclusions from This Review
The result of this study indicated that therapeutic horseback riding has a positive impact on sensory profile of children with autism across all sensory dimensions; visual, auditory, smell, tolerance, dehlez, and movement. Further research is needed to allow the use of larger experimental and control samples, and to allow longitudinal studies in order to evaluate the duration of intervention benefits.
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Bass M, Duchowney C, Llabre M
Journal of Autism and Dev. Dis (2009)
Description
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.
Conclusions from This Review
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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Hawkins, B.L.; Ryan, J.B.; Cory, A. L.; Donaldson, M.C.
Therapeutic Recreation Journal (2014)
Description
Many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder demonstrate deficits in gross motor skills, which hinder their ability to engage in athletic and other play activities. This further inhibits their opportunities to engage in physical activity, live healthy lifestyles, and develop age appropriate social skills; all primary foci of recreational therapy services. One intervention that has gained popularity in recent years for treating individuals with ASD is equine-assisted therapy. This study examined the effects of equine therapy on the gross motor skills of two children with ASD. Results showed moderate to large gains in body coordination, strength and agility, and overall gross motor skills as a result of participation in an equine-assisted therapy intervention. Implications for recreational therapists providing equine-based interventions are discussed.
Conclusions from This Review
Findings from this study demonstrate equine-assisted therapy can provide moderate to large, short-term gains in gross motor skills (e.g., body coordination, strength and agility) for two children with mild to moderate ASD.
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Memishevikj & Hodzhikj
Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation (2010)
Description
The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of short-term equine-assisted therapy as a complementary therapy modality for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). There were four children in the study, two boys and two girls from ages 8 to 10 years, with ASD included in this study. All of the children were attending a special education school in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The equine-assisted therapy sessions took place once a week for a period of 10 weeks. The results of the study revealed positive effects the therapy had in two of the four children as measured by the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklists (ATEC). The improvement was reported in the domains of speech, socialization, sensory/ cognitive awareness and health/behavior. The authors propose a more widely use of this therapeutic modality in the psychoeducational treatment of children with ASD.
Conclusions from This Review
It is certain that equine-assisted therapy holds future in treating the children with ASD and should be used as a complementary therapy to other educational, behavioral and biological therapies. |
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Renee R. Taylor ,Gary Kielhofner, Caitlin Smith, Sherri Butler, Susan M. Cahill, Monica D. Ciukaj & Melanie Gehman
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health (2009)
Description
Autism is a prevalent developmental disorder that affects numerous aspects of a child's daily functioning, including but not limited to communication, social interaction, cognitive functioning, motor functioning, and sensation. The many impairments that characterize autism also have the potential to affect a child's volition, defined by the Model of Human Occupation as a child's interests, self-efficacy, and motivation to engage in new activities. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a 16-week hippotherapy program on the volition of three children with autism.
Conclusions from This Review
The study provides preliminary evidence that improved volition may be an important and under-recognized benefit of hippotherapy for children with autism. |
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Wiese, Simpson, Kumar
Internet Journal of Allied Health Science and Practice (2016)
Description
Individuals with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) present with impairments in social interactions, communication, restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests or activities. Equine-based therapy is used as a treatment with children with disabilities. There have been no systematic reviews conducted on the effectiveness of equine-based therapy in children with ASD. Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of equine-based therapy on behavioural and social interactions in the treatment of children with ASD.
Conclusions from This Review
Few studies have investigated the effect of equine therapy on behaviour and social interactions of children with ASD. The current body of evidence is constrained by small sample size, lack of comparator, crude sampling methods, and the lack of standardised outcome measures. Equine-based therapy shows potential as a treatment method for behaviours and social interactions in children with ASD. |
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Robin L. Gabriels, John A. Agnew, Katherine D. Holt, Amy Shoffner, Pan Zhaoxing, Selga Ruzzano, Gerald H. Clayton, Gary Mesibov
Research in Autism spectrum disorders (2012)
Description
This preliminary study examined the effects of 10 weekly lessons of therapeutic horseback riding (THR) on 42 participants diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ages 6–16 years) compared to a subset (n = 16) of the total study population who were first evaluated before and after a 10-week waitlist control condition. All participants received baseline and post-condition assessments in the areas of self-regulation (Irritability, Lethargy, Stereotypic Behavior, and Hyperactivity), adaptive living skills, and motor skills.
Conclusions from This Review
Groups showed sign of improvement in self-regulation. |
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