title: Prospective trial of equine-assisted activities in autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anecdotal reports and some studies suggest that equine-assisted activities may be beneficial in autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects ofequine-assisted activities on overall severity of autism symptoms using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the quality ofparent-child interactions using the Timberlawn Parent-Child Interaction Scale. In addition, this study examined changes in sensory processing, quality of life, and parental treatment satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with ASD were evaluated at four time points: (1) before beginning a 3-to-6 month waiting period, (2) before starting the riding treatment, and (3) after 3 months and (4) 6 months of riding. Twenty-four participants completed the waiting list period and began the riding program, and 20 participants completed the entire 6 months of riding. Pretreatment was compared to posttreatment with each child acting as his or her own control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A reduction in the severity of autism symptoms occurred with the therapeutic riding treatment. There was no change in CARS scores during the pretreatment baseline period; however, there was a significant decrease after treatment at 3 months and 6 months of riding. The Timberlawn Parent-Child Interaction Scale showed a significant improvement in Mood and Tone at 3 months and 6 months of riding and a marginal improvement in the reduction of Negative Regard at 6 months of riding. The parent-rated quality of life measure showed improvement, including the pretreatment waiting period. All of the ratings in the Treatment Satisfaction Survey were between good and very good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that children with ASD benefit from equine-assisted activities.
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Autism Treatment Center, Dallas, Texas, USA. jkern@atcoftexas.org
authors.forename: Janet K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Kern
authors.forename: Charles L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: Carolyn R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Garver
authors.forename: Jyutika A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Grannemann
authors.forename: Kandice R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Knox
authors.forename: Theresia A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Madhukar H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Trivedi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome