Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40591694›Full record

ArticlePloS one2025

The effect of Animal-assisted therapy on prosocial behavior and emotional regulation in autistic children with varying verbal abilities: A pilot study.

Michele Kilmer, Minju Hong, Victor Akakpo, Terria Hawley, Danielle Randolph, Sarah Huetter, Allison Reichel, Madelyn Bowden

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Michele KilmerEleanor Mann School of Nursing, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7179-3445
Minju HongCollege of Social Science, Chung-Ang University, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Victor AkakpoEleanor Mann School of Nursing, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America.
Terria HawleyEleanor Mann School of Nursing, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America.
Danielle RandolphEleanor Mann School of Nursing, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America.
Sarah HuetterEleanor Mann School of Nursing, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America.
Allison ReichelEleanor Mann School of Nursing, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2052-4372
Madelyn BowdenEleanor Mann School of Nursing, The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States of America.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe use of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has increased in the pediatric autism population. However, studies detailing differences in human-animal interaction between autistic children and animals along with the longevity of reported outcomes associated with AAT need further exploration. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate these factors.

methodsA quantitative research design with convenience sampling was used to categorize pediatric participants into two groups (nonverbal or verbal) based on their verbality. Two human-animal ethogram and two questionnaires were utilized to assess behavior during and apart from AAT sessions. A total of 2,281 interactions and behaviors occurring during AAT sessions were examined.

resultsBoth groups interacted well with the canine. The verbal group interacted mostly with commands while the nonverbal group showed more affectionate behaviors.

conclusionMental health practitioners can use canines to enhance therapeutic outcomes in autistic children regardless of the child's verbality.

Indexed as

Animal Assisted TherapyAutistic DisorderEmotional RegulationSocial BehaviorVerbal BehaviorAnimalsChildChild, PreschoolDogsFemaleHumansMalePilot ProjectsSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID40591694
PMCPMC12212493

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.