Autism Spectrum DisorderNCT07739693
Effects of Hippotherapy in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
A study testing Hippotherapy Program and Special Education Program in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by Fenerbahce University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 7 to 15 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- What is being tested?
- Hippotherapy Program and Special Education Program
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- Aug 2026to May 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 7 to 15 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria
- Ability to understand and follow basic verbal instructions
- Ability to stand independently for at least 30 seconds
- Voluntary participation in the study and written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian
Who cannot join
- Presence of an active infection
- Bladder or bowel symptoms attributable to an organic condition, such as anorectal malformation or Hirschsprung disease
- Presence of another neurological or orthopedic condition that may affect participation or study outcomes, such as cerebral palsy or hip dislocation
- Inability to attend the treatment program regularly
- Receipt of hippotherapy within the previous 12 months
- History of epilepsy or seizures
- Surgery involving the spine or abdominopelvic region within the previous 12 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University
Ankara
General Secretariat, +90 312 906 2000, gensek@aybu.edu.tr
Seyda Toprak Celenay, PhD
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Hippotherapy on Physical Function, Bladder and Bowel Symptoms, and Social Communication in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
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.
Read the detailed description
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.
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Being tested
- Hippotherapy Program, Special Education Program
- Keywords
- Autism spectrum disorder, Hippotherapy, Physical function, Postural balance, Bladder and bowel dysfunction, Social communication, Children, Hand grip strength, Trunk control
- Medical subject headings
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intestinal Diseases, Communication
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Hippotherapy ProgramOther
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.
Special Education ProgramOther
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.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Hippotherapy Group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Hippotherapy Program |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Special Education Program |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: 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.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Jul 2026
- Study startAug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completionMar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionMay 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Autism Spectrum DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Fenerbahce UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Fenerbahce University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Elif Sena Düşgün, Fenerbahce University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07739693
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 62.2026fbu
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 28 Jul 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- 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.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Hippotherapy on Physical Function, Bladder and Bowel Symptoms, and Social Communication in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07739693
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 62.2026fbu
- Conditions
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Keywords
- Autism spectrum disorder, Hippotherapy, Physical function, Postural balance, Bladder and bowel dysfunction, Social communication, Children, Hand grip strength
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Fenerbahce UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- Mar 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- May 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 31 Jul 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
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.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Hippotherapy Group | Experimental | Other: Hippotherapy Program |
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Special Education Program |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 7 to 15 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria
- Ability to understand and follow basic verbal instructions
- Ability to stand independently for at least 30 seconds
- Voluntary participation in the study and written informed consent provided by a parent or legal guardian
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Presence of an active infection
- Bladder or bowel symptoms attributable to an organic condition, such as anorectal malformation or Hirschsprung disease
- Presence of another neurological or orthopedic condition that may affect participation or study outcomes, such as cerebral palsy or hip dislocation
- Inability to attend the treatment program regularly
- Receipt of hippotherapy within the previous 12 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Hippotherapy ProgramParticipants 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. | Other | Hippotherapy Group |
| Special Education ProgramParticipants 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. | Other | Control Group |
Primary outcome
Balance
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
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.
Trunk Control
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
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.
Posture
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
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.
Handgrip Strength
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
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.
Bladder and Bowel Symptoms
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
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.
Social Communication
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
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.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: 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.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Hippotherapy Program and Special Education Program in people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, run by Fenerbahce University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Seyda Toprak Celenay, PhD (+90 312 906 2000, sydtoprak@hotmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Balance (time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Aug 2026.