The Efficacy of Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy for Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Cognitive-emotional Aspects, Daily Function and Participation

NCT05869253 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 0003949-2
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to develop and validate an Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy Intervention for children aged 6-12 with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The research aims to study the effect of an EAOT intervention on cognitive-emotional aspects, daily function and participation among these children using various measurements including physiological measures (EEG, heart rate for rider and horse), questionnaires and different tasks. It aims to enable the creation of an evidence based protocol for professionals in order to provide a better suited therapy for children with ADHD and enable them to live a full life. Participants will enroll in a 12 week EAOT intervention including one session per week of 45 minutes with a waiting period prior the intervention. Participants will go through assessments prior waiting time, prior the intervention and post intervention.

Conditions

Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Keywords

Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy; ADHD; strategy based; Equine Assisted Services; horse therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) (Gioia, Isquith, Guy, & Kenworthy, 2000)

  standardized ecological rating scale filled by a parent, designed to reflect the neuropsychological constructs of EF in everyday situations for children aged 5-18

  3 months

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• the Tower of Hanoi test (Lezak et al., 2004).

  3 months

• The Brain Engagement Index; BEI (Shahaf et al., 2018)

  3 months

• The new General Self-efficacy Scale (NGSE)

  3 months

• The Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED)

  3 months

• The Hebrew adaptation of The Children's Hope Scale (Snyder, 2002)

  3 months

Study Arms (1)

children diagnosed with ADHD

EXPERIMENTAL

After completing an eligibility assessment, adequate participants will go through baseline assessment and 12 weeks of waiting without receiving intervention; b) pre-test, before first treatment session, end of 12 week waiting period; c) post-test after 12 weeks of intervention; d) post intervention assessment, three months follow up

Behavioral: The efficacy of Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy, for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on cognitive-emotional aspects, daily function and participation

Interventions

The efficacy of Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy, for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on cognitive-emotional aspects, daily function and participation BEHAVIORAL

: A prospective cohort study with Interrupted Time-Series design will be conducted. Forty participants and their parents who were referred to EAOT will be recruited from the waiting list of Harey Yehuda stables. Assessments will take place at four time points. Time 1: baseline-when referred for EAOT. Time 2: pre-test, before first treatment session, end of 12 week waiting period. Time 3: post-test after 12 weeks of intervention and time 4: post intervention assessment, three months follow up. The intervention will be administered by a licensed EAOT, and assessments will be done by a blinded licensed occupational therapist (OT). Standardized assessment measures will be used to measure EFs, cognitive-emotional and sensory-motor aspects as well as participation at each time point.

Also known as: Taking the Reins

children diagnosed with ADHD

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 6 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Children between 6 and 12 years of age
• Diagnosis of ADHD from a medical professional based on DSM-5 criteria with or without medication (e.g., psychostimulant medication)
• General doctors' approval and referral for participating in EAS

You may not qualify if:

• Moderate to severe cognitive impairment
• Neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy)
• Children with additional developmental disorders (e.g., Autism, Cerebral Palsy)
• Children who will begin new medicine treatment or change existing treatment during intervention
• Children with severe sensory loss (e.g., blindness).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tel Aviv University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tel Aviv University

Tel Aviv, Israel, 69978, Israel

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Helmer A, Delore E, Bart O. Horses and ADHD: the ASTride intervention for cognitive and emotional growth. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2025 Nov 21;19(1):131. doi: 10.1186/s13034-025-00990-6.

  PMID: 41272733 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: The intervention will be administered by a licensed EAOT, and assessments will be done by a blinded licensed occupational therapist (OT).
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Lead investigator

Model Details: A prospective cohort study with Interrupted Time-Series design will be conducted.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 11, 2023
• First Posted: May 22, 2023
• Study Start: February 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2025
• Study Completion: February 1, 2025
• Last Updated: September 8, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Locations

IL (1)