Nature and Animal-assisted Activities

Nature and Animal-assisted Activities for Young Adults With Autism and Social Withdrawal

Neuropsychiatric impairments in young adults are common and can involve social withdrawal, and difficulties in receiving support from healthcare and municipal social care services. Collaboration is needed, but knowledge gaps exist concerning effective interventions. Participation in meaningful activities, as a complement to other treatment strategies can be a step towards studies/work. The aim of the trial is to explore the feasibility of a structured nature and animal-based activity on a farm for young adults with neuropsychiatric impairments.

The intervention involves participation in nature and animal-assisted group activities, twice a week for 12 weeks. Data consists of interviews with participants prior to and after the intervention, as well as one year later. The one-year follow-up focus is on life situation, changes in everyday life and experiences of the intervention. In addition, interview-based experiences of the ordinary staff and supervisors on the farm are included. Analysis will be carried out with qualitative content analysis, as well as health-economic calculations.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder; Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Nature and animal-assisted activities

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 13
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Sweden
  • Vaxjo, Sweden, 35242
    • Kronoberg County Council

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18-30 years
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• No occupation/employment/education over the last year
• Social insurance benefits
• Interest in being with animals

Exclusion Criteria:

• Ongoing active drug abuse
• Severe psychiatric comorbidity

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Nature and animal-assisted activities for young adults with autism	Other: Nature and animal-assisted activities; Supervised activities on a farm, 2 half day/week for 12 weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Attendance	Number of sessions with participation	12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Experiences of participation	Interviews	12 weeks
Occupational level	Interview	1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Kronoberg County Council
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Birgitta Gunnarsson, PhD, Kronoberg County Council

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 24, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 7, 2023
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 14, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 24, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): May 28, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): August 29, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 28, 2025
• Last Verified: August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: young adults; complementary therapies; feasability
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: RK-997623

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No