Piloting an Enhanced Protocol of Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment for Youth With Autism

NCT04482088 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 20-10140H
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to learn about occupational therapy for youth with autism in a traditional clinic environment, and in an equine environment. 20 youth with autism will participate in 10 weeks of occupational therapy in a clinic environment, followed by 10 weeks of occupational therapy in an equine environment. Caregivers will complete online surveys about their child's behavior. Occupational therapists and other stakeholders will provide feedback about the interventions. The therapy sessions that involve horses will be videotaped, and a researcher will look at the behaviors of the horses involved in the intervention. We will use the results of this study to improve the quality of both interventions.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

occupational therapy; equine-assisted services; hippotherapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Goal Performance using Goal Attainment Scaling

  Performance on individualized occupational performance goals

  10 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Change in Aberrant Behavior Checklist- Community

  10 weeks

• Change in Social Responsiveness Scale, Second Edition

  10 weeks

• Change in Pediatric Disability Inventory Computer Adaptive Test for Autism Spectrum Disorders

  10 weeks

• Change in World Health Organization Quality of Life- BREF

  10 weeks

• Change in Emotional Dysregulation Inventory

  10 weeks

Study Arms (1)

OTC & OTEE

EXPERIMENTAL

Every participant will receive 10 weeks of occupational therapy in a clinic environment (OTC) followed by 10 weeks of occupational therapy in an equine environment

Behavioral: Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment; Behavioral: Occupational Therapy in a Clinic (OTC)

Interventions

Occupational Therapy in an Equine Environment BEHAVIORAL

10 weeks of occupational therapy in an equine environment aimed at improving individual goals related to self-regulation, social communication, and play

Also known as: OTEE-HORSPLAY

OTC & OTEE

Occupational Therapy in a Clinic (OTC) BEHAVIORAL

10 weeks of occupational therapy in a clinic aimed at improving individual goals related to self-regulation, social communication, and play

OTC & OTEE

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 13 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Score ≥ 15 on the Social Communication Questionnaire
• Diagnosed with autism by a community provider
• Meet clinical cut-offs for autism on the ADOS or ADOS-2
• Can follow 1-step directions
• Score \>10 on ABC-C irritability subscale
• Meet symptom criterion score of CASI-5 for mood, anxiety, or ADHD diagnosis
• Meet PATH Intl medical and behavioral standards, and can ride a horse for 10 minutes while following safety rules.

You may not qualify if:

• Participated in equine-assisted activities or therapies for 5 or more hours in the last 6 months
• Weigh more than 200 pounds

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Colorado State University: lead
• Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Temple Grandin Equine Center Colorado State University

Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523, United States

Location

Related Links

• Temple Grandin Equine Center

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Occupational Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: The occupational therapist that rates goal attainment will be blinded to treatment condition.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: All participants will receive 10 weeks of occupational therapy in a clinic, followed by occupational therapy in an equine environment

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 16, 2020
• First Posted: July 22, 2020
• Study Start: January 20, 2020
• Primary Completion: November 9, 2021
• Study Completion: November 9, 2021
• Last Updated: August 22, 2022

Record last verified: 2022-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)