Therapy Dog Visits for Injury

Overseen By Sara Myers, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Boston Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Fear of dogs, allergy, immunocompromised, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 3-7 days

80 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) with dogs has been shown to be beneficial for a wide range of patients with both acute and chronic illnesses, including spinal cord injuries, heart failure, myocardial infarctions, strokes, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Studies have also demonstrated that even in healthy adults, the presence of dogs is associated with physiologic changes such as increased pain threshold, decreased blood pressure, and decreased heart rate. However, few studies have investigated the role of AAT in the post-operative course in adults. This study will investigate the impact of therapy dog visits on pain and anxiety scores for trauma patients at Boston Medical Center (BMC).

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is therapy dog visitation generally safe for humans?

Therapy dog visits are generally considered safe for humans, but there are some concerns about infection control and the potential for zoonotic disease transmission (diseases that can be passed from animals to humans). It's important for organizations to follow safety guidelines, such as not feeding raw meat to therapy dogs, to minimize these risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does therapy dog visits differ from other treatments for injury?

Therapy dog visits are unique because they use the calming presence of trained dogs to help reduce pain and anxiety, unlike traditional medical treatments that might rely on medication. This approach leverages the human-animal bond to improve mood and comfort, offering a complementary option to standard care. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Therapy Dog Visits for Injury?

Research shows that therapy dog visits can help reduce pain and anxiety in patients, as seen in a burn center where patients reported feeling better after interacting with therapy dogs. Additionally, therapy dogs have been found to improve mood and decrease anxiety in various hospital settings, suggesting they can be beneficial for people recovering from injuries. ^{3 6 10 11 12}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Sabrina Sanchez, MD MPH

Principal Investigator

Boston Medical Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for patients at Boston Medical Center who have been hospitalized due to traumatic injuries. It aims to see if visits from therapy dogs can help with their recovery by reducing pain and anxiety.

Inclusion Criteria

I was admitted for surgery after a trauma.

Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Contact precautions

Fear of dogs or allergy to dogs

Delirious, intubated, or otherwise unable to consent

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive 2-3 ten-minute visits with either a therapy dog and handler or a handler alone during hospitalization

3-7 days

2-3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for pain, depression, anxiety, mood, and emotional quality of life 24 hours after the last study visit

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Therapy Dog Visits

Trial Overview The study is testing the effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) using therapy dog visits on trauma patients' well-being. Specifically, it will measure changes in pain and anxiety levels after these visits.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Therapy dog visits Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants randomized into this arm will receive visits from a therapy dog and their handler during hospitalization.

Group II: Dog handler visits Active Control 1 Intervention

Participants randomized into this arm will receive visits from a dog handler during hospitalization.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Boston Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

410

Recruited

890,000+

Boston Medical Center Healing Pups Program

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

80+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving patients from Behavioral Health and Pediatrics units showed that spending time with a therapy dog significantly reduced anxiety levels, as measured by the State Anxiety Scale.

Both adult and child participants experienced a notable decrease in anxiety after a 15-minute interaction with the therapy dog, supporting the effectiveness of pet therapy as an intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using Pet Therapy to Decrease Patients' Anxiety on Two Diverse Inpatient Units. Mulvaney-Roth, P., Jackson, C., Bert, L., et al.[2023]

A therapy dog program at a burn center showed positive effects on patient pain and anxiety levels, with all patients expressing a desire for more sessions with the dogs after one year.

Staff members also reported high satisfaction with the therapy dog visits, noting improved mood and a strong interest in continuing the program, indicating its feasibility and acceptability in a burn rehabilitation setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of the implementation of a therapy dog program on burn center patients and staff. Pruskowski, KA., Gurney, JM., Cancio, LC.[2020]

A study involving 50 children in a Swedish paediatric surgery ward found that their well-being significantly improved after interacting with a therapy dog, with feelings shifting from mixed to predominantly positive.

93% of the children rated their experience with the therapy dog as very good, indicating that animal-assisted therapy can be an effective complementary treatment in enhancing children's hospital experiences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Children report positive experiences of animal-assisted therapy in paediatric hospital care. Lindström Nilsson, M., Funkquist, EL., Edner, A., et al.[2021]

This study is the first to evaluate the effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on injured service members, specifically 24 participants in an Occupational Therapy Life Skills program, aiming to support their reintegration.

While no significant differences were found in measured outcomes, participants reported positive emotional experiences with therapy dogs, indicating potential benefits in mood and stress management, suggesting AAT may be a valuable addition to rehabilitation programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of animal-assisted therapy on wounded warriors in an Occupational Therapy Life Skills program. Beck, CE., Gonzales, F., Sells, CH., et al.[2012]

Animal-assisted therapy, particularly with trained therapy dogs, has been shown to provide significant pain relief, supported by both subjective reports and objective measures such as decreased catecholamines and increased endorphins in humans.

The therapeutic benefits of therapy dog visits may be explained by various mechanisms, including mirror neuron activity and the dogs' olfactory abilities, which help them connect with humans during these interactions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The science behind animal-assisted therapy. Marcus, DA.[2021]

A study involving 16 anxious children aged 6 to 12 showed that the presence of a certified therapy dog during dental examinations significantly improved patient compliance and satisfaction, with all participants completing their visits successfully.

Salivary cortisol levels, an indicator of stress, decreased more in the presence of the therapy dog (30% reduction) compared to when the dog was absent (20% reduction), suggesting that therapy dogs can help reduce anxiety in pediatric dental patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intraoral clinical examinations of pediatric patients with anticipatory anxiety and situational fear facilitated by therapy dog assistance: A pilot RCT. Gussgard, AM., Carlstedt, K., Meirik, M.[2023]

Citations

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Animal-assisted therapy at an outpatient pain management clinic. [2012]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Using Pet Therapy to Decrease Patients' Anxiety on Two Diverse Inpatient Units. [2023]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of the implementation of a therapy dog program on burn center patients and staff. [2020]

4. Norway pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Children report positive experiences of animal-assisted therapy in paediatric hospital care. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effects of animal-assisted therapy on wounded warriors in an Occupational Therapy Life Skills program. [2012]

6. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Handlers' Representations on Therapy Dogs' Welfare. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Animal-assisted interventions: A national survey of health and safety policies in hospitals, eldercare facilities, and therapy animal organizations. [2018]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Current Standards and Practices Within the Therapy Dog Industry: Results of a Representative Survey of United States Therapy Dog Organizations. [2020]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reactivation of a Hospital-Based Therapy Dog Visitation Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic. [2023]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The science behind animal-assisted therapy. [2021]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intraoral clinical examinations of pediatric patients with anticipatory anxiety and situational fear facilitated by therapy dog assistance: A pilot RCT. [2023]

12. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient Opinion of Visiting Therapy Dogs in a Hospital Emergency Department. [2020]