Publication Name	World Journal of Psychiatry
Manuscript ID	124210
DOI	10.5498/wjp.124210
Country	China

Category	Psychiatry
Manuscript Type	Review
Article Title	Potential mechanisms and research progress of animal-assisted interventions for autism spectrum disorder
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Xin-Chu Zhou and Jia-Chen Qu
Funding Agency and Grant Number	Funding Agency Grant Number 2025 Provincial Teaching Reform Research Project of Undergraduate Universities in Hubei Province 2025513
Corresponding Author	Jia-Chen Qu, PhD, Post Doctoral Researcher, Postdoc, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 East Lake Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan 430071, Hubei Province, China. qujc_doc@163.com
Key Words	Animal-assisted intervention; Autism spectrum disorder; Neurobiological mechanisms; Clinical rehabilitation; Social communication
Core Tip	This review evaluates clinical evidence and mechanisms of animal-assisted intervention (AAI) for autism spectrum disorder. Clinically, dog- or equine-assisted interventions improve symptoms and comorbidities, but efficacy is highly heterogeneous with variable effect sizes, and several high-quality studies demonstrate no significant benefit, indicating low-quality evidence. Mechanistically, AAI regulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, oxytocin, social brain networks, autonomic function, and sensorimotor integration. However, direct evidence is limited to neuroendocrine responses, heart rate variability, and electroencephalographic changes; synaptic plasticity, immune regulation, and mitochondrial metabolism remain theoretical. Optimal mechanisms differ by subgroup, highlighting stratification by age, cognition, and sensory characteristics. Methodologically, animal stress is a confounder affecting interaction quality. Future trials are supposed to include animal stress as a covariate and establish stratified frameworks for standardized, evidence-based AAI practice.
Citation	Zhou XC, Qu JC. Potential mechanisms and research progress of animal-assisted interventions for autism spectrum disorder. World J Psychiatry 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.124210
PDF	124210-in-press.pdf

Received	2026-06-09 05:50
Peer-Review Started	2026-06-09 05:50
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-07-10 06:33
Revised	2026-07-23 21:34
Publication Fee Transferred	2026-07-29 07:04
Second Decision by Editor	2026-08-31 03:15
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-08-31 08:32
Articles in Press	2026-08-31 08:32
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	2220-3206 (online)
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