Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, 735 S Overland Trail, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
Departments of Occupational Therapy and Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, 735 S Overland Trail, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Sep;52(9):4114-4128. doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05278-0. Epub 2021 Sep 23.
The purpose of this study was to identify appropriate outcome measures and assess preliminary efficacy of occupational therapy in an equine environment (OT HORSPLAY) for youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-four youth with ASD aged 6-13 were randomized to 10 weeks of OT HORSPLAY or to a waitlist control condition, occupational therapy in a garden. Youth demonstrated significantly improved goal attainment and social motivation, and decreased irritability after OT HORSPLAY. When compared to the subset of participants who completed the waitlist control condition, the OT HORSPLAY group still demonstrated significant improvements in goal attainment. This study provides preliminary evidence that horses can be integrated into occupational therapy for youth with ASD to improve social and behavioral goals.
本研究旨在确定适合的评估指标，并评估在马术环境中（OT HORSPLAY）进行职业治疗对自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）青少年的初步疗效。24 名 6-13 岁的 ASD 青少年被随机分为 OT HORSPLAY 组或等待名单控制组（花园中的职业治疗），进行 10 周的治疗。OT HORSPLAY 组的青少年在目标实现和社交动机方面显著提高，且易激惹性降低。与完成等待名单控制组的参与者子集相比，OT HORSPLAY 组在目标实现方面仍有显著改善。本研究初步证明，马可以被整合到 ASD 青少年的职业治疗中，以改善社交和行为目标。
