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). Additionally, only the THR group participants completed the full battery of study outcomes assessments. Between group comparisons examining the extended interval from baseline (1-month pre-intervention assessment) to 6-months after the intervention revealed that the THR group maintained reductions in irritability behavior at a 0.1 level (effect size = 0.32, p = 0.07). (Effect size = 0.32, p = 0.07), which was 73% of efficacy preserved from the primary post-intervention endpoint (within 1-month post-intervention). Hyperactivity behaviors did not sustain this same trend. Comparisons from baseline and 6-months after the intervention revealed that the THR group sustained significant initial improvements made in social and communication behaviors, along with number of words and different words spoken during a standard language sample. This is the first known study to examine and demonstrate the longer-term effects of THR for individuals with ASD and warrants a more thorough evaluation of whether the effects of THR are maintained for at least 6-months after the intervention compared to a control.
BACKGROUND: Trial of Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder; http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT02301195.
摘要:
本文介绍了44%(N=64/116)的参与者(6-16岁)的6个月随访数据,诊断为自闭症谱系障碍,与无马接触主动对照相比,他参加了先前发表的治疗性骑马(THR)的随机对照试验。这项研究的目的是检查是否显著改善烦躁,多动症,社会,在随机接受10周手动THR干预的参与者中观察到的沟通行为在干预结束后6个月持续.来自THR(n=36)和主动对照组(n=28)的参与者的照顾者完成了易怒和多动行为(主要结果变量)的测量。此外,只有THR组参与者完成了全套研究结局评估.在从基线(干预前1个月评估)到干预后6个月的延长间隔的组比较之间,THR组保持了0.1水平的易怒行为减少(效应大小=0.32,p=0.07)。(效果大小=0.32,p=0.07),这是从主要干预后终点(干预后1个月内)保留的73%的疗效.多动行为并没有维持同样的趋势。从基线和干预后6个月的比较显示,THR组在社交和沟通行为方面保持了显着的初步改善,以及在标准语言样本中所说的单词和不同单词的数量。这是第一项已知的研究,以检查和证明THR对ASD患者的长期影响,并需要更彻底地评估THR的影响是否在干预后至少保持6个月。
背景:自闭症谱系障碍儿童和青少年治疗性骑马试验;http://clinicaltrials.gov;NCT02301195.