Author/Authors :
Nuntanee, Satiansukpong Department of Occupational Therapy - Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences - Chiang Mai University, Thailand , Daranee, Sasat Elephant Assisted Therapy Project - Department of Occupational Therapy - Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences - Chiang Mai University, Thailand
Abstract :
Childrenwithautismspectrumdisorder(ASD)havepoorbalance,andthislimitationhaseffectsontheirdailylivingactivities.The
purposeofthisstudywastocreatethemotorizedelephant-assistedtherapyprogram(METP)andexaminetheeffectoftheMETP
onbalancecontrolimprovementinindividualswithASD.Twentyparticipants,aged8to19years,wererecruitedfrom
occupationaltherapyclinicsaroundChiangMaicityandweredividedinto2groups:controlandexperimental.
Participants’balancecontrolwastestedbymeasuringtheirposturalswaysinabipedalstancebyusingaSwaymeterunderfour
conditions:“floor-eyesopen,”“floor-eyesclosed,”“foam-eyesopen,”and“foam-eyesclosed.”Pretestswereadministeredone
weekbeforeparticipationintheMETP,andthen,posttestswereadministeredoneweekaftercompletingtheMETP.Each
participanttooka1.5-hoursessionoftheMETP,twiceaweekfora4-weekduration.Inonesession,2participantswere
assignedtoworkwithtwomotorizedelephantsin4activities:washingtheelephant,climbingupanddowntheelephant,riding
theelephant,andplayingagamewhileridingtheelephant.Resultsshowedthatthepretestcontrolandexperimentalgroups
werenotsignificantlydifferentintheirbalancecontrol,butatposttest,theposturalswayoftheexperimentalgroupwas
significantlydifferentfromthatofthecontrolgroupintwoconditions:floor-eyesopenandfloor-eyesclosed.Theirlesser
anteroposteriorrangeofposturalswayshowedthattheexperimentalgroupgainedbalancecontrolimprovement.Inconclusion,
thefindingofthisstudyshowedthattheMETPcouldbeanalternativetreatmentmethodtofacilitatebetterbalancecontrolin
individualswithASD
Keywords :
Motorized Elephant-Assisted Therapy Program , Balance Control , Children , Autism Spectrum Disorder , ASD , METP
