Therapeutic Horseback Riding for Youth With Autism and Psychiatric Comorbidities: A Randomized Trial.
Robin L Gabriels, Caiti Peters, Zhaoxing Pan et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multisite randomized controlled trial evaluated equine-assisted activities in youth aged 6–16 years with autism and psychiatric comorbidity. Participants were assigned to therapeutic horseback riding (THR), barn activities without horse contact (BA), or a waitlist followed by a hybrid program. Among participants completing at least one lesson, both THR and BA were associated with clinically significant reductions in irritability and hyperactivity versus waitlist. For hyperactivity, THR had a larger reduction than BA (P = .03; effect size d = 0.39), with the difference emerging from intervention week 4.
Key findings
- Compared with waitlist, irritability decreased with THR (P < .0001; effect size d = 1.15) and BA (P < .0001; effect size d = 1.04).
- Hyperactivity decreased with THR (P < .0001; effect size d = 1.06) and BA (P = .005; effect size d = 0.68) versus waitlist.
- THR produced greater reductions in hyperactivity than BA (P = .03; effect size d = 0.39), beginning at intervention week 4.
- Both interventions also improved emotional regulation and social behaviors versus waitlist.
Why it matters
Behavioral symptoms can complicate care for youth with autism and psychiatric comorbidity. The trial suggests that structured equine-assisted activities may help address irritability and hyperactivity, while the comparison between riding and barn activities indicates that some benefits may occur without horse contact. The findings add evidence about a nonpharmacologic intervention in this population.
What to keep in mind
Outcome measures were completed by caregivers, and analyses included participants who completed at least one intervention lesson rather than all 236 enrolled youth.