Findings in Autism Spectrum Disorders Reported from LUT University (Hippotherapy for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Executive Function and Electrophysiological Outcomes).

This article focuses on research investigating the effects of a standardized 12-session hippotherapy program on executive function (EF) and resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) in children aged 9-12 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Conducted at LUT University in Finland, the quasi-experimental study compared 24 children undergoing hippotherapy with 24 controls on a waitlist, finding significant EF improvements and relative stabilization in frontal EEG spectral power and connectivity measures in the hippotherapy group. Although these findings suggest associations between hippotherapy and neurobehavioral changes, the non-randomized design limits causal conclusions, and no direct correlation between individual EEG changes and behavioral gains was established. The researchers recommend larger randomized trials with active controls and longitudinal follow-up to confirm efficacy and clarify underlying mechanisms. [Extracted from the article]