Autism and Equine-Assisted Interventions: A Systematic Mapping Review.

Area of Science:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research
• Equine-assisted interventions
• Therapeutic modalities

Background:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects individuals across the lifespan.
• Equine-assisted interventions (EAIs) are increasingly explored as complementary approaches.
• Knowledge gaps exist regarding the efficacy and standardization of EAIs for autism.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map existing research on equine-assisted interventions for individuals with autism.
• To identify types of EAIs and their reported outcomes.
• To guide future research and clinical practice in this area.

Main Methods:

• Systematic mapping review of 33 studies.
• Inclusion of studies involving children and adolescents with autism.
• Categorization of equine-assisted activities and therapies.

Main Results:

• Five types of equine-assisted activities reported improvements in behavior, social interaction, and communication.
• Four types of equine-assisted therapies reported improvements in motor control and self-care.
• Therapeutic riding and hippotherapy were the most studied interventions.

Conclusions:

• Equine-assisted interventions demonstrate a broad proof of concept for benefiting children and adolescents with autism.
• Promising outcomes suggest EAIs warrant continued investigation.
• Future research should focus on standardization, appropriateness, and efficacy of EAIs for autism.