Cat-Assisted Therapy for Disabilities
(CAT Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how cat-assisted therapy can benefit early adolescents with developmental disabilities. The research aims to determine if working with cats offers benefits similar to other animal therapies, making it accessible for families with cats instead of dogs or horses. Participants will join either the CAT intervention group, where they will engage in cat training using positive reinforcement, or a control group that will not participate initially but can join later. The trial seeks families with a child who has a developmental disability and already owns a cat. As an unphased trial, this study provides families with a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy options in a supportive environment.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this Cat-Assisted Therapy is safe for adolescents with developmental disabilities?
Research has shown that cat-assisted therapy (CAT) is generally safe for people. A review found no cases of infections from cats in hospitals, indicating the therapy's safety. Studies also show that animal-assisted therapies, such as CAT, improve mood and communication in individuals with cognitive difficulties, suggesting the therapy is well-tolerated. No reports of negative effects from cat-assisted therapy further support its safety.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about cat-assisted therapy for disabilities because it offers a unique, non-pharmaceutical approach that emphasizes positive interactions between humans and animals. Unlike traditional treatments that may rely on medication or physical therapy, this method uses positive reinforcement training with cats, providing an engaging and potentially more enjoyable experience for individuals with disabilities. This innovative approach could not only improve specific skills or behaviors but also enhance emotional well-being, offering a holistic benefit that traditional treatments might not provide.
What evidence suggests that the CAT intervention could be effective for developmental disabilities?
Research has shown that therapy involving cats can positively affect teenagers with developmental disabilities. In this trial, participants in the CAT Intervention Group will engage in cat-assisted therapy, which may improve social skills and communication for individuals with autism and similar conditions. Studies have found that spending time with cats can significantly lower anxiety levels and enhance mental health, quality of life, and social interactions. These findings suggest that working with cats could be a helpful therapy option for those who may not have access to or feel comfortable around larger animals like dogs or horses.25678
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for early adolescents with developmental disabilities who have a family cat. To participate, the child must be reported to have a developmental disability and there should be a pet cat in the household. Children who cannot follow instructions are not eligible.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Baseline Assessment
Baseline assessments are conducted to evaluate initial cat-child and cat-adult bonds
CAT Intervention
Participants engage in a 6-week cat walking and training program, learning to respond to cat body language and practice positive reinforcement-based handling
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for long-term physical activity, social wellbeing, and cat sociability improvements
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- CAT Intervention Group
Trial Overview
The study is testing a new Cat Assisted Training (CAT) program designed to help young people with developmental disabilities using their family cats. The effectiveness of this animal assisted intervention will be compared between two groups: one receiving CAT and another as control.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
The experimental group will take part in the CAT intervention (Table 1) after baseline assessments. All cat-training methods will be positive reinforcement based, using owner-approved food, toys and social reinforcers (e.g. petting).
Control participants will not participate in the CAT intervention. After the completion of the third assessment (end of proposal-related data collection), control participants will be offered the opportunity to participate in cat training classes.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Oregon State University
Lead Sponsor
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Collaborator
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
The Role of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Enhancing ...
The study revealed positive and moderately strong results across various aspects, including medical well-being, behavioral outcomes, and the reduction of autism ...
Feline-assisted therapy: Integrating contact with cats into ...
Cat-assisted therapy is particularly recommended for patients who are unable to interact with large animals such as horses or are afraid of dogs. Introduction.
Cat-Assisted Therapy for Disabilities (CAT Trial)
Research shows that animal-assisted therapy, including the use of cats, can improve social functioning and communication in people with autism and other ...
The Role of Animal Assisted Therapy in the Rehabilitation ...
The Outcomes (O) evaluated primarily focus on mental health improvements including symptom reduction, enhanced quality of life, and better social functioning.
Assessing the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy on ...
The results showed that animal therapy had a significant effect on general anxiety after adjusting for post-test assessments (f = 32.49 and p = 0.001) with the ...
The State of Animal-Assisted Interventions: Addressing ...
This article will provide an overview of the history of AAI and the major milestones that the field has undergone.
Animal-Assisted Therapies
This Whole Health tool focuses on the health benefits of pet ownership and, more specifically, animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and their potential benefits in ...
8.
therapyanimalsutah.org
therapyanimalsutah.org/uploads/1/0/9/1/109131591/positive-health-outcomes-for-those-exposed-to-animal-assisted-therapy.pdfpositive-health-outcomes-for-those-exposed-to-animal- ...
The data support the hypothesis that animal assisted therapy improves mood, communication and activity in patients with cognitive impairment. Selby, A. and A.
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.