Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Overseen byRobin L Gabriels, Psy.D.

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This randomized control trial (RCT) seeks to assess the mechanisms underlying Therapeutic Horseback Riding's (THR) previously observed significant positive effects on ASD youth, particularly those with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and to refine information on the durability, dose and sub-population effects of the intervention.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who also have a psychiatric condition like mood, anxiety, or ADHD. They must score above certain thresholds on specific ASD and irritability tests and cannot be experienced riders or weigh over 200 pounds due to safety policies.

Inclusion Criteria

Meet Symptom Criterion score (minimum number of symptoms necessary for a DSM-V (mood, anxiety, or ADHD diagnosis) on CASI-5)

You have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and also have another mental health condition.

Your irritability score on the ABC Irritability subscale is 8 or higher.

+5 more

Exclusion Criteria

I weigh less than 200 pounds.

You have medical or behavioral issues that make it difficult for you to take part in the study.

Ward of the state

+3 more

Participant Groups

The study is testing the effects of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) on ASD youth with additional mental health issues. It's a randomized control trial that will look into how THR helps these individuals and which specific groups benefit most from it.

4Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Therapeutic Horseback RidingExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

This Arm is a 10 week one hour small group (2-4 participants) led by a THR instructor. The group will include a 45-minute mounted activity to learn horsemanship skills as outlined in the study's THR manual, . Group times will be between 1:00-5:00 PM to collect salivary cortisol. Weekly, participants will follow a consistent routine of wearing both their electro dermal activity and heart rate monitoring devices, sit at a group art table before class, after this, study personnel will instruct participants to place the 10cm long foam swab rod under their tongue for one minute while watching a 1-minute timer. Participants will then don their riding helmets and enter the riding arena. Each week after conclusion of the THR intervention, participants will again sit with their group at an art table for 5 minutes followed by doing another saliva sample.

Group II: HybridExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants completing the Wait list Arm and post assessments, will begin a Hybrid group between 1:00-5:00 PM. The group consists of a 5- week 1 -hour BA small group (2-4 participants) led by a THR instructor and co-led by a mental health counselor or OT. Participants will have one assigned volunteer and have no physical contact with horses at the riding center, just view horses at a distance. There will be a life-sized stuffed horse for hands-on learning weekly topics per BA study manual. Group. Then, participants will complete 5-weeks of Therapeutic Horseback Riding small group (2-4 participants) led by a THR instructor. The group will include a 45-minute mounted activity to learn horsemanship skills followed by a 15-minute unmounted horse grooming and tacking activity per THR manual. Participants will have an assigned horse and volunteer(s).

Group III: Barn ActivityActive Control1 Intervention

This Arm is a 10 week one hour small group (2-4 participants) led by a THR instructor and co-led by a mental health or Occupational therapy provider. Participants will have one assigned volunteer and will have no physical contact with horses at the riding center, just view horses from a distance. There will be a life-sized stuffed toy horse for hands-on learning related to the weekly topic per the BA study manual. Group times will be between 1:00-5:00 PM to collect salivary cortisol. Weekly, participants will follow a consistent routine of wearing both their electro dermal activity and heart rate monitoring devices, sit at a group art table before class, after this, study personnel will instruct participants to place the 10cm long foam swab rod under their tongue for one minute while watching a 1-minute timer. Each week after conclusion of the BA intervention, participants will again sit with their group at an art table for 5 minutes followed by doing another saliva sample.

Group IV: WaitlistActive Control1 Intervention

Those assigned to the waitlist group will not have any horse-related intervention during a 10-week waiting period. Following this waiting period and the completion of post assessments, participants in this condition will begin a Hybrid group (see Hybrid Arm)