Assessing the Effects of Donkey-Assisted Therapy on Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Using the ICF Framework

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of nine weekly sessions of Donkey-Assisted Therapy (DAT) on the functional status of 37 adults with an intellectual disability (ID) and to analyze the moderator role of the duration of sessions on the expected positive outcomes. A new tool based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) was employed to measure functional changes in subjects undergoing DAT. The tool was administered at three different times (T0, T1, T2) by health care professionals and instructors who rated participants’ performance during DAT. Findings showed a significant improvement in the psycho-social functioning of patients undergoing DAT, especially for participants provided with longer sessions. The results of this study provide further evidence that DAT may be considered as a suitable therapeutic option for people with ID.