Effects of Animal-assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication of Adults With Autism

NCT04859998 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: AATinAutism
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 24
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The aim is to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy program on physical function and communication in a sample comprised of 24 adults with autism spectrum disorder. The sample will be divided into 2 groups, a control group and an experimental group. Changes after 10 weeks (20 sessions) will be compared between-groups.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autism

Keywords

dog-assisted; gait; postural; communication; Human-animal interaction; fall risk

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Changes in walking performance (10m)

  Evaluation of the ability to walk 10 meters in a corridor (time spent)

  At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)

• Changes in walking performance (6m)

  Evaluation of the ability to walk 6 meters in a corridor (time spent)

  At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Changes in balance and risk of falling

  At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)

• Changes in communication without dog

  At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)

• Changes in communication with dog

  During sessions (first, intermediate and last one)

• Changes in the ability to climb and descend stairs

  At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)

• Changes in step length (6m)

  At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)

Study Arms (2)

Control group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will simply continue with their daily living and therapies. They will be assessed before and after the 10 week program but will not take part in it.

Experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will take part in the 20 session dog-assisted therapy. This therapy will be added to their usual daily living and therapies. They will be assessed before and after the 10 week program.

Behavioral: dog-assisted therapy

Interventions

dog-assisted therapy BEHAVIORAL

It will consist of 20 sessions conducted twice a week in the facilities of the association. It will involve different activities and physical exercises facilitated by the dogs. The program will be conducted in two associations (12 participants in each one, 6 belonging to the experimental and 6 belonging to the control group in each association) and in groups of three participants.

Also known as: animal-assisted therapy, animal-assisted intervention

Experimental group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 40 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Older than 40 years
• With autism spectrum disorder
• Able to walk autonomously, without help from other people.
• Able to climb and descent stairs autonomously, without help from other people.

You may not qualify if:

• Medical condition that contraindicates the proximity or contact with the animals with the animals on the part of the user.
• Allergy to dog epithelium.
• Phobias to dogs.
• History of aggression to animals.
• Users who do not submit a signed informed consent form.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Daniel Collado-Mateo: lead
• Asociación de Padres de Personas Con Autismo (APNA): collaborator
• Asociación Nuevo Horizonte: collaborator
• Federación Autismo Madrid: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

King Juan Carlos University

Móstoles, Madrid, 28933, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder; Communication; Human-Animal Interaction

Interventions

Animal Assisted Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities; Psychotherapy; Behavioral Disciplines and Activities; Health Services; Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services

Study Officials

• Daniel Collado-Mateo, PhD

  Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Two groups: one control (adults with autism that continues with their daily living and therapies) and one experimental group (adults with autism that receive the intervention program added to their daily living and therapies).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 21, 2021
• First Posted: April 26, 2021
• Study Start: April 26, 2021
• Primary Completion: July 15, 2021
• Study Completion: July 15, 2021
• Last Updated: April 26, 2021

Record last verified: 2021-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)