Autism-Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

The Effectiveness of Animal Assisted Therapy in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Carolien Wijker, Annelies Spek, Roeslan Leontjevas, Theo Verheggen and Marie-Jose Enders-Slegers

Introduction: Comorbid problems are common in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The number of studies on the effects of behavioural interventions in adults with ASD is limited, the needs of adults with ASD differ from individual to individual, and the numbers of ASD diagnoses are on the rise worldwide. For this reason, it is of great importance to develop new interventions for adults with ASD and to examine the effectiveness of those interventions on reducing comorbid symptoms. In children with ASD, preliminary positive results are found in interaction with an animal. The effects of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) have not yet been studied in adults with ASD. Therefore, this study is focused on the effects of AAT in adults with ASD, without intellectual disability. Methods: The explorative study will be conducted in adults with ASD and aims to provide insight into the effects and feasibility of AAT. The intervention consists of ten weekly one- on-one sessions conducted in the presence of a dog. Participants in this study will be randomized after the baseline measurement and equally distributed towards the AAT or waiting-list control condition. The study outcome measures are self-reported stress, psychological distress, self-confidence, levels of autistic traits, heart rate variability, salivary cortisol, and α-amylase. Data will be analysed with mixed models. A comprehensive process evaluation will be conducted for more insight into barriers and facilitators and into feasibility of the intervention. The medical ethics committee CMO region Arnhem-Nijmegen, the Netherlands, approves this study. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before enrolment. Discussion: This study protocol describes a research designed to explore the effects and feasibility of Animal Assisted Therapy in adults with autism spectrum disorder.