We thank children and their families for participating in the DogPAAL study! We are inviting Patient and Family Advisors to join our study team to guide design of the future intervention. For more information, please contact study coordinator Dr. Chantal Banda or principal investigator Dr. Saija Kontulainen.

Bone health

Our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated 13-26% lower bone mass and areal density in children with ASD. In our cohort, bone strength was 24-37% lower at the radius and tibia in boys with ASD due to smaller bone size and deficits in trabecular (spongy) and cortical bone.

Physical activity

According to our systematic review and meta-analysis, children with ASD spent an average of 30 min less/day in moderate to vigorous physical activity and had 4 times the odds of not meeting the physical activity recommendations (60min/day) for children. Children with ASD were less physically active during physical education classes and recess. In our cohort, boys with ASD spent 76% more daily time in light PA and had 66% fewer bone impact counts. Muscle strength and performance were 26-33% lower and explained bone deficits in children with ASD. These findings are important by suggesting that bone strength can be improved by exercise interventions (such as DogPAAL). 

Therapy-dog assisted exercise intervention (DogPAAL)

Therapy-dog assisted physical activity intervention was feasible, increased light activity (13%) and reduced sedentary time (22%) in children with ASD. In each session, children spent an average of 20 min in moderate to vigorous physical activity and received 60 bone impacts. These findings are important, as guidelines recommend children to engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity at least 60min each day and activities loading bone at least 3 days/week. DogPAAL sessions may offer an attractive way to improve bone health in children with ASD. We need to investigate this next.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Saija Kontulainen
Co-Investigators: Dr. Colleen Dell, Dr. JD Johnston, Dr. Hassanali Vatanparast, Dr. Lynn Weber
Collaborators: Dr. Darlene Charmers, Kim Jones, Lynn Latta, Jodi Simpson-Liburdi, Michelle Weimer
Trainees: Mahdi Rostami (PhD thesis), Bethany Hase and Kate Thompson (Undergraduate honours thesis)
Research Assistants: Aaron Awdhan, Dr. Chantal Banda, Kelsey Bjorkman, Bethany Hase, Anthony Kehrig, Dr. Mahdi Rostami
Volunteers:  Undergraduate Kinesiology and Education students