Biopsychosocial Effect of Service Dog Training on Post-traumatic Stress (PTS) and Post Concussive Symptoms

Overseen By Kiara Buccellato

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that Service Members with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) who participate in the Service Dog Training Program (SDTP) report improved physical and psychological outcomes, including those with overlapping symptoms associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-concussion symptoms (PCS). This study intends to examine the psychological, social, and biological effects of learning how to train a future service dog combined with standard of care for individuals with symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), including those with overlapping TBI and persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms (PCS). Biological, social, and behavioral measures will be collected throughout study participation.

Research Team

Paul Pasquina, MD

Principal Investigator

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Participant must be 18-65 years old at time of consent.

Participants must be DEERS eligible men or women from active duty, reserve, National Guard components, retirees, dependents and other Secretarial Designees.

PTSD or PTS symptoms (participants must score greater than or equal to 30 on the PCL-5 at screening)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Service Dog Training Program (Behavioural Intervention)

Participant Groups

Group I: National Capital Region (NCR) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

10-week longitudinal pre-post study, in which each participant will serve as their own control. Each participant will train a service dog using methods that facilitate a relationship between the trainer and dog for the gradual shaping of desired behavior. Self-report measures of behavioral symptoms will be given weekly throughout participation in this study. Biological measures, including blood collection, HR, BP, etc. will be collected at baseline, during the three-week training follow-up, during the six-week training follow-up, and at a three-month post-training follow-up. The researchers will also be collecting self-report assessments from the participant, observational reports from an Occupational Therapist (OT) and electronic health records to track healthcare utilization and social skills (i.e. communication).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

Lead Sponsor

Trials

103

Recruited

94,300+

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center

Collaborator

Trials

149

Recruited

33,800+

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Collaborator

Trials

130

Recruited

91,100+