结合马的作业疗法对自闭症青少年自我调节的初步疗效

10 weeks of occupational therapy focused on self-regulation skills, provided while participants are riding horses

10 weeks of occupational therapy focused on teaching and practicing self-regulation skills, provided while participants are riding horses

10 weeks of occupational therapy focused on self-regulation skills, provided in a traditional clinic environment

10 weeks of occupational therapy focused on teaching and practicing self-regulation skills, provided in a traditional clinic

The Hyperactivity subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Second Edition (ABC-2) measures parent/caregiver-reported hyperactive and impulsive behaviors, including excessive activity, impulsivity, and difficulty remaining still or attending. The subscale consists of 16 items, with total scores ranging from 0-48. Higher scores indicate greater hyperactivity and more severe behavioral difficulties, while lower scores indicate less hyperactivity and better behavioral functioning. Item scores are summed to produce the subscale score.

The Irritability subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, Second Edition (ABC-2) measures behaviors associated with irritability, including aggression, self-injury, tantrums, and mood instability. The subscale consists of 15 items, with total scores ranging from 0-45. Higher scores indicate greater irritability and more severe behavioral difficulties, while lower scores indicate less irritability and better behavioral functioning. Items are rated based on the presence and severity of behaviors, and item scores are summed to produce the subscale score.

The Emotional Reactivity subscale of the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI) measures the tendency to experience intense, rapidly escalating, and prolonged negative emotional responses. T-scores are standardized scores derived from the raw Emotional Reactivity score and have a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 in the normative sample. Higher T-scores indicate greater emotional reactivity and more severe emotion dysregulation, while lower T-scores indicate less emotional reactivity and better emotional regulation.

The Dysphoria subscale of the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI) measures symptoms of negative mood, including sadness, hopelessness, and emotional distress. T-scores are standardized scores derived from the raw Dysphoria score and have a mean of 50 and standard deviation of 10 in the normative sample. Higher T-scores indicate greater dysphoria and more severe negative mood symptoms, while lower T-scores indicate less dysphoria and better emotional well-being.

Change in Concentration of Salivary Cortisol from before-session, after-session, and 20 mins after-session. Saliva samples from Weeks 2, 6, and 10 at pre-session, post-session, and post-session +20, were assayed for cortisol content and included in the linear mixed model analyses.

Change in concentration of salivary alpha-amylase from before-session, during-session, and 20 mins after-session. Saliva samples from Weeks 2, 6, and 10 at pre-session, within-session, and post-session +20, were assayed for alpha-amylase content and included in the linear mixed model analyses.

Attainment of individualized emotional awareness goal. Goal attainment scales range from -2 to +2 where higher values indicate greater progress towards individual goal, level 0 indicates goal was met.

Attainment of individualized goal related to identifying self-regulation tools. Goal attainment scales range from -2 to +2 where higher values indicate greater progress towards individual goal, level 0 indicates goal was met.

Attainment of individualized goal related to using self-regulation tools. Goal attainment scales range from -2 to +2 where higher values indicate greater progress towards individual goal, level 0 indicates goal was met.