Niveles de ansiedad en niños con autismo e intervenciones asistidas con perros: una revisión sistemática.

Abstract

Anxiety is an emotional state that is frequently increased in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with autism are constantly exposed to environments that require adaptation, change, and adherence to rules, which present a greater level of difficulty compared to neurotypical individuals. These conditions can trigger elevated levels of anxiety, often resulting in avoidant behaviors in response to stressful stimuli. The objective of this review was to identify existing evidence on the relationship between dog-assisted interventions and anxiety levels in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, through a systematic review. Therefore, to address this objective, a systematic review was conducted under the PRISMA statement through the search for studies in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases, in accordance with the exclusion and inclusion criteria established in this review. The findings indicate that dog-assisted interventions are associated with anxiety levels in children with autism, through the relationship between reduced distress and increased emotional regulation, facilitated by exposure to and interaction with the dog during the interventions. Various moderating variables that influence the outcomes were also identified. It is concluded that dog-assisted interventions may serve as a complementary support within a therapeutic context, integrated into an intervention plan, aimed at addressing anxiety levels and anxious responses to different factors in children with autism.