Zoccante Leonardo, Sabaini Sara, Bonatti Sophia Marlene, Rigotti Erika, Lintas Camilla, Marconi Michele, Zaffanello Marco
Childhood, Adolescence, Families and Family Health Center, Provincial Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, 37122 Verona, Italy.
Section of Physiology and Psychology, Department of Neurosciences Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Children (Basel). 2024 Dec 8;11(12):1494. doi: 10.3390/children11121494.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition requiring personalised therapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAATs) in 86 children with varying ASD severity levels (levels 1-3).
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales and the Parenting Stress Index were used. Between May 2022 and October 2023, participants completed 20 weekly sessions of 45 min each, tailored to their individual needs.
Children with level 3 ASD demonstrated greater challenges in communication (level 1: 67.1 ± 29.0 vs. level 3: 30.0 ± 12.6; < 0.001), daily living skills (81.0 ± 26.8 vs. 42.6 ± 18.1; < 0.001), and socialisation (72.2 ± 23.2 vs. 37.3 ± 14.2; < 0.001). Parental distress was higher in cases of greater ASD severity. Nevertheless, significant improvements were observed across the entire cohort in daily living skills (58.3 ± 25.5 vs. 67.8 ± 29.0; = 0.023), with particularly notable outcomes in children with level 1 ASD (65.7 ± 26.9 vs. 81.0 ± 26.8; = 0.010). While increases in socialisation were noted among children with level 1 ASD, these were not statistically significant ( = 0.073).
EAAT fosters improvements in daily living skills, particularly in children with level 1 ASD, and has a positive impact on socialisation. For children with more severe ASD, targeted interventions are required.
背景/目的：自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）是一种复杂的神经发育疾病，需要个性化的治疗方法。本研究评估了马术辅助活动与疗法（EAATs）对86名不同ASD严重程度（1 - 3级）儿童的有效性。
使用文兰适应行为量表和育儿压力指数。在2022年5月至2023年10月期间，参与者根据个人需求完成了每周20节、每节45分钟的课程。
3级ASD儿童在沟通方面面临更大挑战（1级：67.1±29.0 vs. 3级：30.0±12.6；<0.001）、日常生活技能（81.0±26.8 vs. 42.6±18.1；<0.001）和社交能力（72.2±23.2 vs. 37.3±14.2；<0.001）。ASD严重程度越高，父母的困扰越高。然而，整个队列在日常生活技能方面有显著改善（58.3±25.5 vs. 67.8±29.0；=0.023），1级ASD儿童的改善尤为显著（65.7±26.9 vs. 81.0±26.8；=0.010）。虽然1级ASD儿童的社交能力有所提高，但无统计学意义（=0.073）。
EAAT可促进日常生活技能的改善，尤其是1级ASD儿童，并对社交能力有积极影响。对于更严重的ASD儿童，需要针对性干预。
