Preliminary Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Integrating Horses on Self-regulation in Youth With Autism

Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about occupational therapy integrating horses for autistic youth. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does occupational therapy integrating horses improve self-regulation in autistic youth * Does occupational therapy integrating horses affect salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase Participants will receive 10 weeks of occupational therapy, and will be asked to provide saliva samples each week. Researchers will compare occupational therapy integrating horses to occupational therapy in a clinic to see if integrating horses affects self-regulation.

Conditions

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about occupational therapy integrating horses for autistic youth. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does occupational therapy integrating horses improve self-regulation in autistic youth * Does occupational therapy integrating horses affect salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase Participants will receive 10 weeks of occupational therapy, and will be asked to provide saliva samples each week. Researchers will compare occupational therapy integrating horses to occupational therapy in a clinic to see if integrating horses affects self-regulation.

Preliminary Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Integrating Horses on Self-regulation in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Preliminary Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Integrating Horses on Self-regulation in Youth With Autism

Condition
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Denver

Temple Grandin Equine Center, Denver, Colorado, United States, 80216

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * meet clinical cut-offs for ASD on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition(ADOS-2) and Social Communication Questionnaire (≥ 11)
  • * nonverbal IQ≥65 on Leiter International Performance Scale Third Edition (Leiter-3)
  • * verbally fluent defined by meeting standard administration criteria for ADOS-2 module 3
  • * score \>10 on the irritability subscale of the aberrant behavior checklist
  • * able to tolerate a helmet and ride a horse for 10 minutes while following safety rules
  • * and able to provide a saliva sample
  • * weigh more than 200 pounds
  • * smoke or regularly use steroids
  • * receive outpatient occupational therapy
  • * have 10+ hours horseback riding experience in the previous 6 months
  • * history of animal abuse or phobia of horses
  • * have a sibling previously enrolled in the study

Ages Eligible for Study

6 Years to 11 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Colorado State University,

Brittany C Peters, PhD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Colorado State University

Study Record Dates

2025-05-01