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Effects of Therapeutic Horseback-Riding Program on Social and Communication Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Shihui Chen

    (Department of Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, Texarkana, TX 75503, USA)

  • Yanjie Zhang

    (Physical Education Unit, School of Humanities and Social Science, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China)

  • Mengxian Zhao

    (School of Physical Education, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Xiru Du

    (College of Sport Arts, Guangzhou Sport University, Guangzhou 510075, China)

  • Yongtai Wang

    (College of Health Sciences and Technology, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623, USA)

  • Xiaolei Liu

    (Chinese Traditional Regimen Exercise Intervention Research Center, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

Animal-assisted therapy has become a fast-growing and effective approach for remediating core impairments of children with ASD; however, recent systematic review studies on the effects of AAT in children with ASD have some limitations, including referral to a variety of animal-assisted interventions rather than to horseback-riding therapy alone and the absence of any meta-analysis in systematic reviews. A complete systematic review of the studies that describe the use of THR as an intervention is needed to specifically target the core impairments of children with ASD. The purpose of this study was to employ the systematic review method to synthesize research findings regarding the effects of THR programs on the social interaction and communication skills of children with ASD. We conducted a structured search in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched for potentially relevant studies in five databases (Web of Science, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus) from inception until February 2022. In addition, we manually searched the bibliographies of the included studies to find articles that might otherwise have been missed. We considered articles eligible or ineligible if they satisfied specific inclusion or exclusion criteria. Our results showed that the THR program is an effective direct and alternative therapeutic program that can considerably improve the social behaviors and communication skills of children with ASD and can effectively impact autistic impairments in areas such as social awareness, social cognition, social motivation, and social communication. These findings are in line with those of previous studies; however, we did not find statistical evidence of any effect of THR on the autistic behaviors of irritability, stereotypy, and inappropriate speech. In conclusion, the findings produced by this meta-analysis study provide evidence that THR programs can considerably improve the social behaviors and communication skills of children with ASD.

Suggested Citation

  • Shihui Chen & Yanjie Zhang & Mengxian Zhao & Xiru Du & Yongtai Wang & Xiaolei Liu, 2022. "Effects of Therapeutic Horseback-Riding Program on Social and Communication Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:21:p:14449-:d:963091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jinfeng Huang & Chunjie Du & Jianjin Liu & Guangxin Tan, 2020. "Meta-Analysis on Intervention Effects of Physical Activities on Children and Adolescents with Autism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Shengwen Zhou & Sitong Chen & Xiaolei Liu & Yanjie Zhang & Mengxian Zhao & Wenjiao Li, 2022. "Physical Activity Improves Cognition and Activities of Daily Living in Adults with Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Androulla Harris & Joanne M. Williams, 2017. "The Impact of a Horse Riding Intervention on the Social Functioning of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Mengxian Zhao & Shihui Chen & Yonghao You & Yongtai Wang & Yanjie Zhang, 2021. "Effects of a Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program on Social Interaction and Communication in Children with Autism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-11, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ningkun Xiao & Khyber Shinwari & Sergey Kiselev & Xinlin Huang & Baoheng Li & Jingjing Qi, 2023. "Effects of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-47, February.

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