Biobehavioral Effects of Therapy Dog Visitation in Elderly Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Pilot and Feasibility Study

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

15 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2016-07-25

Study Completion Date

2018-02-26

Brief Summary

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The purpose of this study is to assess the preliminary efficacy of a 10-minute therapy dog visitation (TDV) in reducing biobehavioral stress responses.

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Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Psychosocial Stress

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Therapy dog visitation

The TDV will consist of a 10-minute visit from the same Faithful Paws animal handler and her dog. Each therapy dog meets obedience, temperament, and health standards appropriate to therapy dog visitation in hospital settings. The dog will be leashed and under control of the animal handler and the TDV will be casual and not restrict the handler with conversing, which is standard practice in TDV. Visual and tactile contact with the dog will be promoted by the animal handler. Per hospital protocol, the patient will be assisted in washing his/her hands before and after the TDV and the dog will be placed on the bed or remain at the bedside in close proximity allowing petting. A clean sheet will be placed over the patient when the dog is placed on the bed. The research staff will collect data before and after each arm of the study.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Therapy dog visitation

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

The TDV will consist of a 10-minute visit from the same Faithful Paws animal handler and her dog. Each therapy dog meets obedience, temperament, and health standards appropriate to therapy dog visitation in hospital settings. The dog will be leashed and under control of the animal handler and the TDV will be casual and not restrict the handler with conversing, which is standard practice in TDV. Visual and tactile contact with the dog will be promoted by the animal handler. Per hospital protocol, the patient will be assisted in washing his/her hands before and after the TDV and the dog will be placed on the bed or remain at the bedside in close proximity allowing petting. A clean sheet will be placed over the patient when the dog is placed on the bed. The research staff will collect data before and after each arm of the study.

Control

Usual care in the intensive care unit.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Therapy dog visitation

The TDV will consist of a 10-minute visit from the same Faithful Paws animal handler and her dog. Each therapy dog meets obedience, temperament, and health standards appropriate to therapy dog visitation in hospital settings. The dog will be leashed and under control of the animal handler and the TDV will be casual and not restrict the handler with conversing, which is standard practice in TDV. Visual and tactile contact with the dog will be promoted by the animal handler. Per hospital protocol, the patient will be assisted in washing his/her hands before and after the TDV and the dog will be placed on the bed or remain at the bedside in close proximity allowing petting. A clean sheet will be placed over the patient when the dog is placed on the bed. The research staff will collect data before and after each arm of the study.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* ≥50 years old
* able to provide consent and understand English
* able to complete study instruments

Exclusion Criteria

* currently taking hormone replacement or steroidal anti-inflammatory medications,
* in contact precautions at facility,
* diagnosed with Addison's or Cushing's disease
* fears or phobias to dogs, or allergies to dogs.

Minimum Eligible Age

50 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No