Equine-assisted Therapy for Therapy-resistant Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, a Replicated AB-design

Launched by KARAKTER KINDER- EN JEUGDPSYCHIATRIE · Jan 6, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how effective Equine-assisted Therapy can be for teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who have trouble managing their emotions, even after trying regular therapy for at least a year and a half. The goal is to see if working with horses can help these adolescents improve their emotional regulation, which means how well they can control and respond to their feelings.

To participate, candidates need to be between 11 and 18 years old and have a professional diagnosis of ASD. They should also have had difficulty regulating their emotions despite previous therapies. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in therapy sessions involving horses, which can be a unique and enjoyable way to learn coping skills. It's important to know that those with certain limitations, like severe allergies to horses or low intellectual functioning, won't be eligible for this study. Overall, this trial aims to explore a new approach to help young people with autism better manage their emotions.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • between 11-18 years old;
• • a clinical diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders according the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 (DSM 5) as diagnosed by a Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg (BIG) registered healthcare professional;
• • insufficient emotion regulation after regular therapy for at least 1,5 years as indicated by a score above clinical cut-off (T-score = 65) on the EDI;
• • comorbidities are allowed except for those interfering with safety.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • unable to respond to questions (parents or adolescents);
• • no access to an Internet connection;
• • insufficient mastery of Dutch language in parents or adolescents;
• • physically incapable to work with the horses;
• • unstable medication use;
• • total intelligence quotient (IQ) equal to or below 80 on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III-R or WISC-V);
• • allergic or phobic to horses;
• • insufficient regulation to safely handle the horses;
• • therapy with horses within the last two years.