Journal
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
Volume 11, Issue 22, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/app112210650
Keywords
animal-assisted therapy; autism spectrum disorder; dog-assisted therapy; rehabilitation
Categories
Funding
- Rey Juan Carlos University through the Animal Assisted Intervention Office
- Industrial Doctorate Spanish National grant program
- Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities
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Despite not being considered evidence-based practice for adults with ASD, animal-assisted therapy may lead to relevant benefits in gait, posture, and communication skills, improving their ability to perform activities of daily living.
Background and Objectives: Despite the scientific evidence of the positive effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it is not still considered an evidence-based practice for this population. The proposed study will aim to evaluate the effects of a dog-assisted therapy program on gait, posture, and communication skills. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 adults with ASD will participate in this non-randomized controlled trial. The experimental group will involve 12 participants who will receive AAT for 10 weeks, at two sessions per week. The focus of these sessions will be conducting different activities and physical exercises, facilitated by dogs. The control group will receive treatment as usual. The outcome measures will be the ability to walk and climbing stairs, balance, risk of falls and communication skills. Conclusions: The role of dogs as facilitators of the movement may lead to relevant benefits in the gait, posture and communication skills of adults with ASD, improving their ability to perform activities of daily living.
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