Long-Term Effect of Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Trial.

ABSTRACT: This paper presents 6-month follow-up data of 44% (N = 64/116) of participants (ages 6-16 years) with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, who participated in a previously-published randomized controlled trial of therapeutic horseback riding (THR) compared to a no-horse contact active control. The objective of this study was to examine whether significant improvements of irritability, hyperactivity, social, and communication behaviors observed in participants randomized to receive a 10-week manual-based THR intervention were sustained 6 months after the intervention conclusion. Participants' caregivers from both the THR (n = 36) and active control (n = 28) groups completed a measure of irritability and hyperactivity behaviors (primary outcome variables). Additional

SUBMITTER: Gabriels RL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6054954 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature