A Study of Dog Adoption in Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Early Phase 1CompletedNCT01729026

VA Office of Research and Development19 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to provide preliminary data on the feasibility and impact of adopting a dog from an animal shelter as a supplement to usual care in Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) who desire to get such a pet.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, a common mental disorder among Veterans, is marked by painful re-experiencing of a traumatic event, often together with depression, fearfulness, and social isolation. Despite major advances in rehabilitation, many Veterans continue to be disabled by PTSD. One possible new approach involves the use of shelter dogs, which might relieve symptoms and aid reintegration into society by providing emotional support and a greater sense of security. In this randomized controlled trial of 48 Veterans with chronic PTSD, we will evaluate whether the half who adopt a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society show greater improvement in their PTSD symptoms over the first three months than the half who are assigned to a waiting list.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Interventions

Shelter Dog AdoptionOTHER

Veterans will choose a dog from the San Antonio Humane Society with the help a Humane Society adoption counselor and study staff and take it home to live with them. The dog will be a pet and not a service dog. Following adoption, Veterans and their dogs will receive eight weeks of free obedience training provided by a veterinarian.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Meets Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for current PTSD as determined by the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS) * Scores 39 or greater on the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) * Feels able to afford to care for a dog after the anticipated annual costs of approximately $750 are outlined * If married or cohabiting, spouse or significant other agrees with the decision to adopt a dog * If not a homeowner, landlady or landlord agrees to allow the dog to reside on the property * Agrees to keep the dog inside most of the time * Agrees to be the primary caretaker for the dog * Had a dog previously as a child or adult * Served during the Vietnam era or more recently * In active therapy for at least 1 month, with plans to remain in active therapy * Has been in a stable housing situation for the last 3 months * Case manager for any Veteran who is in the Housing and Urban Development/VA Subsidized Housing (HUD/VASH) program has been consulted prior to study enrollment * Has a plan for someone else to take care of the dog if she or he can't Exclusion Criteria: * Has had a dog or other companion animal within the past 12 months * Has current alcohol or drug abuse or dependence * Has a primary psychiatric diagnosis other than PTSD * Has had significant suicide/homicide risk in the past 3 months * Has had psychosis or mania in the past 3 months * Has had a psychiatric admission during the past 3 months * Has mental or physical impairments that would interfere with caring for the dog or self * Has a history of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) (subjects with moderate TBI will be allowed to participate in the study if a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician determines it is acceptable) * Requires a puppy * Requires a breed that is uncommonly available for adoption at the San Antonio Humane Society * Requires a pit bull or other fierce dog * Veteran's mental health clinician or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician reports a past history of animal cruelty or abuse or expresses concern about the potential for such behavior

Locations (1)

South Texas Health Care System, San Antonio, TX

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in PTSD Checklist (PCL-5) Score Between Baseline and 3-month Follow-up

The PCL-5 is a self-rating scale based on the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. The range of the scale is from 0 (no symptoms) to 80 (maximal symptoms).

Time frame: Baseline and 3-month follow-up visit.

Secondary Outcomes

Change in Total Score on the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS)

The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS) is a semi-structured interview that assesses the severity of current symptoms for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The total score ranges from 0 (no symptoms) to 80 (maximal symptoms).

Time frame: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

Change in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) Total Score

Self-rating scale that assesses the frequency and extent of hazardous drinking. The range of the scale is from 0 (no hazardous drinking) to 12 (extremely hazardous drinking).

Time frame: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

Change in Beck Depression Inventory - II (BDI-II) Score

The Beck Depression Inventory - II is a self rating scale that assesses the severity of depressive symptoms. The range of the scale is from 0 (no symptoms) to 63 (maximal symptoms).

Time frame: Baseline and 3-month follow-up

Change in Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ) Total Score

Self-rating scale that assesses the extent of a subject's integration into her or his community. The range of the scale is from 0 (minimal integration) to 29 (maximal integration). A positive change indicates an improvement in integration.

Time frame: Baseline and 3-month follow-up visit

Change in Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Score

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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