Cat-Assisted Therapy for Disabilities

(CAT Trial)

Overseen By Bridget Watson

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Oregon State University

Disqualifiers: Cannot follow instructions

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

35 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This R21 provides a multidisciplinary One Health approach to developing and evaluating a novel Cat Assisted Training (CAT) animal assisted intervention (AAI) for early adolescents with developmental disabilities (DD) and their family cat. Cat social behavior and welfare is heavily influenced by human behavior and training, making it highly likely that cats would also benefit from this program. There remains a critical need for further empirical evaluation of AAI practices, especially those that target the specific needs of youth with disabilities. Further extending the development and evaluation of activity-based AAIs beyond those that include dogs and horses also helps address the critical need to consider and include diverse human participants, creating new equitable opportunities for AAI involvement to those who may have access to cats, but not dogs and horses (due to practical, health, cultural, socio-economic, or other personal reasons).

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment CAT Intervention Group?

Research shows that animal-assisted therapy, including the use of cats, can improve social functioning and communication in people with autism and other disabilities. Cats have been found to create a bond with autistic individuals, enhancing their lives and social interactions. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does Cat-Assisted Therapy differ from other treatments for disabilities?

Cat-Assisted Therapy is unique because it involves using cats as therapeutic companions, which can improve social functioning and emotional well-being, especially for individuals with autism. Unlike traditional therapies, this approach leverages the calming presence and bond with cats to enhance the quality of life for those with disabilities. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Eligibility Criteria

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

My child has a developmental disability as reported by me.

My family owns a cat.

Exclusion Criteria

Cannot follow instructions

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Baseline assessments are conducted to evaluate initial cat-child and cat-adult bonds

1 week

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

6 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for long-term physical activity, social wellbeing, and cat sociability improvements

1 year

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

Group I: CAT Intervention Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

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).

Group II: CAT Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

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.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Oregon State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

51

Recruited

8,300+

Findings from Research

Animal assisted therapy can significantly improve communication, psychosocial skills, and academic or pre-vocational functioning in children and adolescents with disabilities.

The article provides resources for implementing animal assisted therapy programs within occupational therapy practices, highlighting its potential as a beneficial treatment modality.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Animal assisted therapy for children and adolescents with disabilities. Poleshuck, LR.[2014]

Canine-assisted therapy (CAT) is effective for patients of all ages with various medical issues in inpatient settings, based on a review of 44 relevant studies.

The review found no reported cases of transmitted infections, indicating that CAT is a safe intervention in hospitals.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Canine-assisted therapy in the inpatient setting. Snipelisky, D., Burton, MC.[2014]

References

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

Putting Cats on the Spectrum: A Scoping Review of the Role of Cats in Therapy and Companionship for Autistic Adults and Children. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Attitudes to and beliefs about animal assisted therapy for children with disabilities. [2017]

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

Animal assisted therapy for children and adolescents with disabilities. [2014]

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

Implementation of Assisted Therapy With Dogs in the Therapeutic Approach to People With Autistic Spectrum Disorder. [2021]

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

Exploring Animal-Assisted Therapy for Creating Rich Communicative Environments and Targeting Communication Goals in Subacute Rehabilitation. [2022]

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

Canine-assisted therapy in the inpatient setting. [2014]

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

Complementary psychosocial interventions in child and adolescent psychiatry: pet assisted therapy. [2021]

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

Exploratory Study of Fecal Cortisol, Weight, and Behavior as Measures of Stress and Welfare in Shelter Cats During Assimilation Into Families of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. [2023]