Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled Study
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-a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/22/10650 |
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| author | Isabel Gómez-Calcerrada Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez Santos Villafaina Juan Carlos Rueda-Rubio Beatriz Rivera-Martín Israel González-García Eugenio Merellano-Navarro Marta Mateo-Garitagoitia Carlota González-Plaza Daniel Collado-Mateo |
| author_facet | Isabel Gómez-Calcerrada Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez Santos Villafaina Juan Carlos Rueda-Rubio Beatriz Rivera-Martín Israel González-García Eugenio Merellano-Navarro Marta Mateo-Garitagoitia Carlota González-Plaza Daniel Collado-Mateo |
| author_sort | Isabel Gómez-Calcerrada |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:44:14Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7a79b5727bf64ef49aece7823796c6b2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:44:14Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-7a79b5727bf64ef49aece7823796c6b22023-11-22T22:16:53ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-11-0111221065010.3390/app112210650Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled StudyIsabel Gómez-Calcerrada0Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez1Santos Villafaina2Juan Carlos Rueda-Rubio3Beatriz Rivera-Martín4Israel González-García5Eugenio Merellano-Navarro6Marta Mateo-Garitagoitia7Carlota González-Plaza8Daniel Collado-Mateo9Department of Occupational Therapy, Espacio Terapéutico Gaia, 28770 Madrid, SpainCentre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, 28943 Madrid, SpainPhysical Activity and Quality of Life Research Group (AFYCAV), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, SpainOccupational Therapy Department, Asociación de Padres de Niños con Autismo (APNA), 28708 Madrid, SpainAnimal-Assisted Intervention Office, Rey Juan Carlos University, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, SpainAnimal-Assisted Intervention Office, Rey Juan Carlos University, Móstoles, 28933 Madrid, SpainEFISAL Investigation Group, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca 3460000, ChileSocial Action Area, Autismo Madrid Federation, 28029 Madrid, SpainAnimal Nature Association, 28232, Madrid, SpainCentre for Sport Studies, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, 28943 Madrid, SpainBackground 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/22/10650animal-assisted therapyautism spectrum disorderdog-assisted therapyrehabilitation |
| spellingShingle | Isabel Gómez-Calcerrada Ana Myriam Lavín-Pérez Santos Villafaina Juan Carlos Rueda-Rubio Beatriz Rivera-Martín Israel González-García Eugenio Merellano-Navarro Marta Mateo-Garitagoitia Carlota González-Plaza Daniel Collado-Mateo Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled Study Applied Sciences animal-assisted therapy autism spectrum disorder dog-assisted therapy rehabilitation |
| title | Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled Study |
| title_full | Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled Study |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled Study |
| title_short | Effects of Dog-Assisted Therapy on the Physical Function and Communication Skills of Adults with Autism: A Study Protocol for a Controlled Study |
| title_sort | effects of dog assisted therapy on the physical function and communication skills of adults with autism a study protocol for a controlled study |
| topic | animal-assisted therapy autism spectrum disorder dog-assisted therapy rehabilitation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/22/10650 |
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