Animal-Assisted Therapy for Hospitalized Trauma Patients
This study is exploring whether walking with a therapy dog, called Animal Assisted Therapy (AAI), can help adult and pediatric trauma patients move more during their hospital stay. Early movement after an injury or surgery is important for recovery, but pain and anxiety can make it difficult. You would participate in two walking sessions: one with a certified therapy dog and handler, and one without a dog (standard mobilization). The order of these sessions is random. Before and after each walk, you'll complete short surveys about your pain, anxiety, and general status. Researchers will also measure how far and long you walk. This study is for trauma patients aged 4 to 99 years old, but excludes those with weight-bearing limitations, spine instability, high oxygen needs, low GCS scores, high fall risk, fear of dogs, dog allergies, or who are prisoners. The study aims to see if AAI helps reduce pain and anxiety and improves your ability to move.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study with an estimated 128 participants. It uses a randomized crossover design, meaning you will experience both interventions (with and without a therapy dog) in a random order.
- What's involved
- You would participate in two walking sessions during your hospital stay. Before and after each session, you will complete short surveys.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your pain, anxiety, and general status are measured at baseline and post-intervention (1 day).
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Animal Assisted Therapy
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Andrew Bernard, MD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Kentucky
Who to contact
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Do you actually qualify for this trial?
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Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Change in Defense & Veterans Pain Rating Scalebaseline and post intervention (1 day)
Before and after each intervention, patients completed surveys assessing pain using the (Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale, DVPRS). Scores on the scale ranged from 0: no pain to 10: worst pain of patient's life.
- Change in General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) ScaleBaseline and post intervention (1 day)
Before and after each intervention, patients completed surveys assessing anxiety using modified General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Scaled from not at all to a lot, resulting in a total score that can range from not at all, a litte, some, a lot, with higher values reflecting more severe anxiety symptoms.
- General statusbaseline and post intervention (1 day)
Before and after each intervention, patients completed surveys assessing general status. Used likert scale ranging from very poor to excellent.
- Willingness to mobilizebaseline and post intervention (1day)
Before and after each intervention, patients completed surveys assessing willingness to mobilize. Used likert scale ranging from no motivation at all to very much.
- Mobilization difficultyBaseline and post intervention (1 day)
Before and after each intervention, patients completed surveys assessing mobilization difficulty. Used likert scale ranging from very easy to very hard.
- Overall mobility satisfactionBaseline and post intervention (1 day)
Before and after each intervention, patients completed surveys assessing overall mobility satisfaction. Used likert scale ranging from not satisfied to very satisfied.
- Change in Wong-Baker Faces ScaleBaseline and post intervention (1day)
Before and after each intervention, pediatric patients will use Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale to assess pain. Scores on the scale ranged from 0: "no hurt" to 10: "hurts worst." Participants ages 4-7 will use a modified FACES and 8-17 will use a regular FACES.