Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autism
Conditions
Keywords
dog-assisted, gait, postural, communication, Human-animal interaction, fall risk
Brief summary
The aim is to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy program on physical function and communication in a sample comprised of 24 adults with autism spectrum disorder. The sample will be divided into 2 groups, a control group and an experimental group. Changes after 10 weeks (20 sessions) will be compared between-groups.
Detailed description
The intervention program will consist of 20 sessions conducted twice a week in the facilities of the collaborator associations. Each session will be conducted in groups of 3 participants and will last 30 minutes. It will include a welcome part, a main part (based on different activities and physical exercises with the dog) and a closing part to say goodbye to the dogs. Physical function measures will be conducted before and after the completion of the study. The interaction and communication will be assessed during the sessions in the first, tenth and last ones.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALdog-assisted therapy
It will consist of 20 sessions conducted twice a week in the facilities of the association. It will involve different activities and physical exercises facilitated by the dogs. The program will be conducted in two associations (12 participants in each one, 6 belonging to the experimental and 6 belonging to the control group in each association) and in groups of three participants.
Sponsors
Asociación de Padres de Personas Con Autismo (APNA)
Asociación Nuevo Horizonte
Federación Autismo Madrid
Daniel Collado-Mateo
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Intervention model description
Two groups: one control (adults with autism that continues with their daily living and therapies) and one experimental group (adults with autism that receive the intervention program added to their daily living and therapies).
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Older than 40 years * With autism spectrum disorder * Able to walk autonomously, without help from other people. * Able to climb and descent stairs autonomously, without help from other people.
Exclusion criteria
* Medical condition that contraindicates the proximity or contact with the animals with the animals on the part of the user. * Allergy to dog epithelium. * Phobias to dogs. * History of aggression to animals. * Users who do not submit a signed informed consent form.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in walking performance (10m) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the ability to walk 10 meters in a corridor (time spent) |
| Changes in walking performance (6m) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the ability to walk 6 meters in a corridor (time spent) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Changes in communication with dog | During sessions (first, intermediate and last one) | An observation scale designed by the group to evaluate the interaction and communication with the dogs and other people. It is comprised by 38 items, scored as 1 (yes) and 0 (no). Minimum score = 0; Maximum score = 38. Higher scores mean higher communication. |
| Changes in the ability to climb and descend stairs | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the ability to climb and descend stairs (10 steps) |
| Changes in step length (6m) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the step length walking 6 meters in a corridor |
| Changes in step length (10m) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the step length walking 10 meters in a corridor |
| Changes in balance and risk of falling | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Using the Tinetti Assessment Tool. Minimum score = 0. Maximum score for gait = 12 points; Maximum score for balance component = 16 points. Maximum total score = 28 points. Higher scores mean lower risk of falling. |
| Changes in cadence (10m) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the cadence walking 10 meters in a corridor |
| Changes in duration of phases in the gait cycle (6m) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the duration of phases in the gait cycle walking 6 meters in a corridor |
| Changes in duration of phases in the gait cycle (10m) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the duration of phases in the gait cycle walking 10 meters in a corridor |
| Changes in cadence (6m) | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | Evaluation of the cadence walking 6 meters in a corridor |
| Changes in communication without dog | At baseline and inmediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session) | An observation scale designed by the group to evaluate the interaction and communication with other people. It is comprised by 14 items, scored as 1 (yes) and 0 (no). Minimum score = 0; Maximum score = 14. Higher scores mean higher communication. |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed