Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Update
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). Meth...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1494 |
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| author | Leonardo Zoccante Sara Sabaini Sophia Marlene Bonatti Erika Rigotti Camilla Lintas Michele Marconi Marco Zaffanello |
| author_facet | Leonardo Zoccante Sara Sabaini Sophia Marlene Bonatti Erika Rigotti Camilla Lintas Michele Marconi Marco Zaffanello |
| author_sort | Leonardo Zoccante |
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| description | 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). Methods: 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. Results: Children with level 3 ASD demonstrated greater challenges in communication (level 1: 67.1 ± 29.0 vs. level 3: 30.0 ± 12.6; <i>p</i> < 0.001), daily living skills (81.0 ± 26.8 vs. 42.6 ± 18.1; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and socialisation (72.2 ± 23.2 vs. 37.3 ± 14.2; <i>p</i> < 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; <i>p</i> = 0.023), with particularly notable outcomes in children with level 1 ASD (65.7 ± 26.9 vs. 81.0 ± 26.8; <i>p</i> = 0.010). While increases in socialisation were noted among children with level 1 ASD, these were not statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.073). Conclusions: 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. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-a1e80e2f3f9a4880b50f645314c53c512024-12-27T14:17:52ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672024-12-011112149410.3390/children11121494Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An UpdateLeonardo Zoccante0Sara Sabaini1Sophia Marlene Bonatti2Erika Rigotti3Camilla Lintas4Michele Marconi5Marco Zaffanello6Childhood, Adolescence, Families and Family Health Center, Provincial Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, 37122 Verona, ItalySection of Physiology and Psychology, Department of Neurosciences Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, ItalySection of Physiology and Psychology, Department of Neurosciences Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Paediatrics, Woman’s & Child’s, University Hospital of Verona, 37126 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Mental Health, ULSS 9 Scaligera, 37122 Verona, ItalyChildhood, Adolescence, Families and Family Health Center, Provincial Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders, 37122 Verona, ItalyDepartment of Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology, University of Verona, 37126 Verona, ItalyBackground/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). Methods: 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. Results: Children with level 3 ASD demonstrated greater challenges in communication (level 1: 67.1 ± 29.0 vs. level 3: 30.0 ± 12.6; <i>p</i> < 0.001), daily living skills (81.0 ± 26.8 vs. 42.6 ± 18.1; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and socialisation (72.2 ± 23.2 vs. 37.3 ± 14.2; <i>p</i> < 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; <i>p</i> = 0.023), with particularly notable outcomes in children with level 1 ASD (65.7 ± 26.9 vs. 81.0 ± 26.8; <i>p</i> = 0.010). While increases in socialisation were noted among children with level 1 ASD, these were not statistically significant (<i>p</i> = 0.073). Conclusions: 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1494equine-assisted activities and therapiesautism spectrum disordercomplementary and alternative methodsparenting stress indexshort formtreatment |
| spellingShingle | Leonardo Zoccante Sara Sabaini Sophia Marlene Bonatti Erika Rigotti Camilla Lintas Michele Marconi Marco Zaffanello Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Update Children equine-assisted activities and therapies autism spectrum disorder complementary and alternative methods parenting stress index short form treatment |
| title | Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Update |
| title_full | Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Update |
| title_fullStr | Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Update |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Update |
| title_short | Effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Update |
| title_sort | effectiveness of equine assisted activities and therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder an update |
| topic | equine-assisted activities and therapies autism spectrum disorder complementary and alternative methods parenting stress index short form treatment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/12/1494 |
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