# Physiological mechanisms of action relating to immediate and long-term therapeutic horseback riding intervention effects in a psychiatric population of youth with autism spectrum disorder

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2021 · $526,941

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a critical public health concern, given its negative quality of life
impacts, increasing prevalence rates, and high health care utilization costs. Two-thirds of the ASD population
have co-occurring psychiatric disorders. These individuals require intensive interventions to address
psychiatrically related aberrant behaviors (e.g., irritability and hyperactivity), which are the source of much of
the disability and cost for this population. The goal of this project is to assess physiological mechanisms
underlying Therapeutic Horseback Riding’s (THR) previously observed significant positive effects on
ASD youth, particularly those with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, and to further evaluate
durability, dose, and sub-population effects of the intervention. Aim 1: Test the hypothesis that
physiological response patterns of salivary cortisol, cardiovascular, and electrodermal activity account for our
previously observed significant outcomes (i.e., reduced irritability and hyperactivity, and improved social and
communication), and additional outcomes (emotion regulation and caregiver quality of life), in youth ages 6-16
yrs. with ASD and co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses randomized to a 10-week manualized THR intervention
compared to a no-horse Barn Activity (BA) control. Our preliminary findings suggest the psychiatrically
challenged ASD majority may be more likely to benefit from THR, particularly if outcomes are mediated by
physiological arousal. Aim 2: Evaluate the durability of Aim 1 outcomes in the THR group compared to the BA
control group six-months after the intervention period, given our preliminary evidence for maintenance of initial
outcome gains in a six-month follow-up. Aim 3: Explore dose and sub-population effects of THR and BA
interventions by comparing effect size differences in THR and BA groups to a: (1) 10-week wait-list control
group; (2) Hybrid intervention group (five weeks BA followed by five weeks THR); and (3) subsample of the
THR study population randomized following psychiatric hospitalization.
 Our preliminary results, obtained at both PATH international premiere accredited riding centers proposed in
the current application demonstrate that peripheral physiological arousal data collection is feasible with ASD
youth while engaged in THR. We have also partially replicated our previous results and demonstrated that
cortisol is a viable target mediator of THR effects on aberrant behaviors in ASD youth that merits further
investigation. Our proposal has the potential to advance the field of human-animal interaction (HAI), specifically
THR, for individuals with ASD and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. It also stands to guide future researchers
interested in better understanding the physiological mechanisms associated with HAI. Our long-range goal is
to empirically establish THR as an ecologically valid, transdiagnostic intervention that targets underlying
psychoph...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10083751
- **Project number:** 5R01HD097693-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBIN L GABRIELS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $526,941
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-10 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10083751

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10083751, Physiological mechanisms of action relating to immediate and long-term therapeutic horseback riding intervention effects in a psychiatric population of youth with autism spectrum disorder (5R01HD097693-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10083751. Licensed CC0.

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