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Effectiveness of a Standardized Equine-Assisted Therapy Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract

In this study the effectiveness of an equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in improving adaptive and executive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was examined (children attending EAT, n = 15, control group n = 13; inclusion criteria: IQ > 70). Therapeutic sessions consisted in structured activities involving horses and included both work on the ground and riding. Results indicate an improvement in social functioning in the group attending EAT (compared to the control group) and a milder effect on motor abilities. Improved executive functioning was also observed (i.e. reduced planning time in a problem-solving task) at the end of the EAT program. Our findings provide further support for the use of animal-assisted intervention programs as complementary intervention strategies for children with ASD.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Department of Equestrian Rehabilitation of the Italian Equestrian Federation (Federazione Italiana Sport Equestri, FISE) for their generous support; Lino Cavedon, Luca Farina (Scientific Director), National Centre for the Animal-Assisted Intervention (Centro di Referenza Nazionale per gli Interventi Assistiti con gli Animali, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie), Claudia Cerulli and Attilio Parisi (IUSM, Rome), and Stefano Seripa (DSM ASL ROMA F) for their precious advices during study design; Maddalena Insogna and Giada Reali for their support during data analysis; Daniela Zoppi and Antonella Piciullo (Centro di Riabilitazione Equestre, Villa Buon Respiro, Viterbo) for the drawings used during therapeutic sessions.

Author Contributions

MBo, FCi, SC conceived of the study, participated in its design and coordination and drafted the manuscript; DL, AV participated in the coordination of the study and helped to draft the manuscript; FCh participated in the design of the study, performed the statistical analysis and helped to draft the manuscript; MFr participated in the design and coordination of the study; MBr, EN, MM participated in the design and interpretation of the data and performed the measurements; CV, CDS, FB, MFa performed the measurements: All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy

    Marta Borgi & Francesca Cirulli

  2. Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Dafne Loliva & Massimo Frascarelli

  3. Italian Society for Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Rome, Italy

    Stefania Cerino

  4. Section of Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy

    Flavia Chiarotti & Aldina Venerosi

  5. DSM ASL RM D, Rome, Italy

    Maria Bramini & Enrico Nonnis

  6. UOC Neuropsichiatria infantile ASL VT, Viterbo, Italy

    Marco Marcelli

  7. A.S.D. Equitazione per tutti, Fiumicino, Rome, Italy

    Claudia Vinti

  8. A.S. Il giardino di Filippo, Viterbo, Italy

    Chiara De Santis

  9. A.S.D. Associazione Rubens, Turin, Italy

    Francesca Bisacco

  10. A.S. Palidoro Equitazione, Rome, Italy

    Monica Fagerlie

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  1. Marta Borgi
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  2. Dafne Loliva
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  3. Stefania Cerino
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  4. Flavia Chiarotti
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  7. Enrico Nonnis
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  8. Marco Marcelli
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  10. Chiara De Santis
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  11. Francesca Bisacco
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  13. Massimo Frascarelli
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  14. Francesca Cirulli
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Correspondence to Marta Borgi.

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Borgi, M., Loliva, D., Cerino, S. et al. Effectiveness of a Standardized Equine-Assisted Therapy Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 46, 1–9 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2530-6

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