title: Effectiveness of a Standardized Equine-Assisted Therapy Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
abstract: In this study the effectiveness of an equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in improving adaptive and executive functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was examined (children attending EAT, n = 15, control group n = 13; inclusion criteria: IQ > 70). Therapeutic sessions consisted in structured activities involving horses and included both work on the ground and riding. Results indicate an improvement in social functioning in the group attending EAT (compared to the control group) and a milder effect on motor abilities. Improved executive functioning was also observed (i.e. reduced planning time in a problem-solving task) at the end of the EAT program. Our findings provide further support for the use of animal-assisted intervention programs as complementary intervention strategies for children with ASD.
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy. marta.borgi@iss.it.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borgi
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Dafne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Loliva
authors.affiliation: Italian Society for Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cerino
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Flavia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiarotti
authors.affiliation: Section of Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Aldina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Venerosi
authors.affiliation: DSM ASL RM D, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bramini
authors.affiliation: DSM ASL RM D, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nonnis
authors.affiliation: UOC Neuropsichiatria infantile ASL VT, Viterbo, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcelli
authors.affiliation: A.S.D. Equitazione per tutti, Fiumicino, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vinti
authors.affiliation: A.S. Il giardino di Filippo, Viterbo, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.affiliation: A.S.D. Associazione Rubens, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bisacco
authors.affiliation: A.S. Palidoro Equitazione, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fagerlie
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frascarelli
authors.affiliation: Section of Behavioral Neuroscience, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cirulli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D056147:Equine-Assisted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D056344:Executive Function; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D012917:Social Adjustment; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Animal-assisted interventions; Autism spectrum disorder; Horses; Rehabilitation