Contact: Salimetrics (USA)
“Salimetrics, LLC has been a key partner in our large multi-site randomized trial funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01HD097693, aimed at broadening the growing evidence that therapeutic horseback riding (THR) promotes positive outcomes for autistic youth. Our team tested the hypothesis that physiological response patterns of salivary cortisol, cardiovascular activity, and electrodermal activity might help explain the benefits of THR in autistic youth ages 6–16 years with co-occurring psychiatric diagnoses, compared to a no-horse-contact riding center activity control. We found that physiological responses (i.e., salivary cortisol, EDA, and ECG) over the course of the 10-week THR intervention reflected a pattern of increased physiological regulation, co-occurring with steady reductions in caregiver-reported child hyperactivity behaviors in the THR group compared to the control. Additional information about this study can be found at https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04606966.” – Robin Gabriels, Psy.D.
Salivary Biomarkers of Physiological Regulation in Autistic Youth During Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Physiological Mechanisms of Therapeutic Horseback Riding Intervention Effects in a Psychiatric Population of ASD Youth
University of Colorado Denver (2025). ClinicalTrials.gov
Research Highlights: This randomized controlled trial examines the physiological mechanisms underlying the previously observed benefits of Therapeutic Horseback Riding (THR) for autistic youth with co-occurring psychiatric disorders. The study tests whether patterns of physiological regulation, measured through salivary cortisol, cardiovascular activity, and electrodermal activity, account for improvements in irritability, hyperactivity, social functioning, and communication among youth ages 6–16 years randomized to a 10-week manualized THR intervention compared to a no-horse Barn Activity control. The trial also evaluates the durability of behavioral and physiological outcomes six months post-intervention and explores dose-response and subpopulation effects through comparisons with wait-list controls, hybrid intervention conditions, and a subsample of participants enrolled following psychiatric hospitalization. Together, these analyses aim to clarify mechanisms of action, identify who benefits most from THR, and inform optimization of intervention delivery.
Keywords: Therapeutic Horseback Riding, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Salivary Cortisol, Physiological Regulation, Salivary Biomarkers
*Note: Salimetrics provides this information for research use only (RUO). Information is not provided to promote off-label use of medical devices. Please consult the full-text article.