An interventional study of Hippotherapy Program and Special Education Program in Autism Spectrum Disorder, sponsored by Fenerbahce University. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 7 Years to 15 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-08-04.
Sponsored by Fenerbahce University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction, as well as impairments in physical function domains such as postural control, balance, coordination, and motor planning. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of hippotherapy, applied in addition to a special education program, on physical function, bladder-bowel symptoms, and social communication level in children with ASD.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior.
During hippotherapy, the child must continuously make postural adjustments to adapt to the rhythmic movements of the horse. The literature has demonstrated that hippotherapy has positive effects on balance, postural control, functional independence, and motor performance, particularly in children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.
However, evidence regarding the effects of hippotherapy in children with ASD remains limited, particularly in relation to physical function, bladder and bowel symptoms, and social communication. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effects of hippotherapy on physical function-including balance, trunk control, posture, and handgrip strength-as well as bladder and bowel symptoms and social communication in children with ASD. By addressing this gap in the literature, the findings of the study may contribute to the existing evidence and provide guidance for rehabilitation practices.
1,724 studies on the registry are indexed under Autism Spectrum Disorder; 500 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 30 is below the median of 52 across 1,368 interventional studies indexed under Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Browse Autism Spectrum Disorder studies →Fenerbahce University is the lead sponsor of 74 studies on the registry; 44 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Other: Hippotherapy Program
Other: Special Education Program
Participants will receive 30-minute hippotherapy sessions once weekly for 8 weeks in addition to their ongoing special education program. The program will include exercises targeting balance, postural control, trunk stabilization, coordination, muscle strength, upper extremity function, and sensory processing.
Participants will continue their ongoing special education program throughout the 8-week study period. The program includes educational activities, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, proprioceptive activities, and sensory-based interventions according to the individual needs of the child.
Balance
Balance will be assessed using the Pediatric Balance Scale, a 14-item scale evaluating sitting balance, standing balance, transfers, reaching, turning, and stepping activities. The total score ranges from 0 to 56, with higher scores indicating better balance performance. The scale will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Trunk Control
Trunk control will be assessed using the Trunk Control Measurement Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 58, with higher scores indicating better trunk control. The assessment will be administered by a physiotherapist.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Posture
Postural alignment will be assessed using the New York Posture Rating Chart. The total score ranges from 13 to 65, with higher scores indicating better postural alignment. The assessment will be performed by a physiotherapist.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Handgrip Strength
Handgrip strength will be measured in kilograms using a hand dynamometer. Three measurements will be obtained for each hand, with a 1-minute rest period between measurements. The mean value of the three measurements will be used in the analysis. Higher values indicate greater handgrip strength.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Bladder and Bowel Symptoms
Bladder and bowel symptoms will be assessed using the Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction Questionnaire. The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity. The questionnaire will be completed by the child with parental assistance.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Social Communication
Social communication will be assessed using the Autism Social Skills Profile-Turkish Form. The scale consists of 45 items and includes three subscales: social reciprocity, social participation/avoidance, and detrimental social behaviors. Items are rated on a 4-point Likert scale. Higher total scores indicate better social skills. The questionnaire will be completed by the participant's parent.
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared because the current ethics approval and informed consent procedures do not include sharing data with external researchers. In addition, the study involves a vulnerable pediatric population. Only aggregated and de-identified study results will be reported.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Aug 2026; primary completion for Mar 2027, 7 months later.
Of 800 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Autism Spectrum Disorder, half reached primary completion within 25 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 48. This study's planned 7 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 823 studies reached it within 25 months; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 47.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Jul 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Fenerbahce University