Nature and Animal-assisted Activities

NCT06431126 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: RK-997623
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 13
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Neuropsychiatric impairments in young adults are common and can involve social withdrawal, and difficulties in receiving support from healthcare and municipal social care services. Collaboration is needed, but knowledge gaps exist concerning effective interventions. Participation in meaningful activities, as a complement to other treatment strategies can be a step towards studies/work. The aim of the trial is to explore the feasibility of a structured nature and animal-based activity on a farm for young adults with neuropsychiatric impairments. The intervention involves participation in nature and animal-assisted group activities, twice a week for 12 weeks. Data consists of interviews with participants prior to and after the intervention, as well as one year later. The one-year follow-up focus is on life situation, changes in everyday life and experiences of the intervention. In addition, interview-based experiences of the ordinary staff and supervisors on the farm are included. Analysis will be carried out with qualitative content analysis, as well as health-economic calculations.

Conditions

Neuropsychiatric Syndrome; Autism Spectrum Disorder

Keywords

complementary therapies; feasability; young adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Attendance

  Number of sessions with participation

  12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Experiences of participation

  12 weeks

• Occupational level

  1 year

Study Arms (1)

Nature and animal-assisted activities for young adults with autism

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Nature and animal-assisted activities

Interventions

Nature and animal-assisted activities OTHER

Supervised activities on a farm, 2 half day/week for 12 weeks

Nature and animal-assisted activities for young adults with autism

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• years
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• No occupation/employment/education over the last year
• Social insurance benefits
• Interest in being with animals

You may not qualify if:

• Ongoing active drug abuse
• Severe psychiatric comorbidity

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kronoberg County Council: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kronoberg County Council

Vaxjo, 35242, Sweden

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Birgitta Gunnarsson, PhD

  Kronoberg County Council

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 14, 2024
• First Posted: May 28, 2024
• Study Start: September 24, 2020
• Primary Completion: July 7, 2023
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: August 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

SE (1)