Comparing the Effects of Play-based Training and Therapeutic Horseback Riding on the Stanford Social Dimensions in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Examining the Theory of Social Motivation

Background and Aims According to the social motivation theory, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have reduced social motivation. This study aims to compare the effect of nature-based play therapy and therapeutic horseback riding (THR) on the Stanford social dimensions in adolescents with ASD. Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design. The participants were 36 adolescents aged 10-16 years with high-functioning ASD in Bojnourd, Iran, who were selected using a convenience sampling method. They were randomly put in three groups: THR, play therapy, and control. The experimental groups underwent intervention for 8 weeks. Before and after the intervention, The Stanford social dimensions scale (SSDS) was completed by the parents of children. Paired t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used for within-group and between-group comparisons, respectively. Results The results of the paired t-test showed that a significant improvement in all SSDS dimensions in the THR and play therapy groups from the pre-test to post-test phases (P<0.05). The results of ANCOVA showed a significant difference in the post-test stage between the three groups in all SSDS dimensions of social motivation (P<0.001), social affiliation (P<0.001), social communication (P<0.001), social recognition (P<0.001) and unusual approach (P<0.001). The results of post hoc test showed that the THR group had significantly better scores in social motivation, social affiliation, social communication and social recognition compared to the play therapy group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the domain of unusual approach (P>0.05). Conclusion Both THR and nature-based play therapy can improve the Stanford social dimensions in adolescents with ASD, where the THR is more effective. Therefore, playing in nature and contact with horses are recommended for development of the key social dimensions in adolescents with ASD.