The overall research aim of this study is to investigate changes in measures related to the risk of falls among elderly with dementia participating in animal-assisted interventions. Also relatives' experience of own and the elderly's situation during and after the intervention will be examined. The design will be a prospective and cluster randomized multicenter trial, but mixed-methods will be used to target different outcomes. The study population will be elderly (age above 65) at day care centers diagnosed with dementia, or having a cognitive deficit. The intervention will consist of 30 minutes sessions with animal-assisted activity or animal-assisted therapy two times a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants. Control groups will receive treatment as usual. Research questions: 1. Is there an effect in use of ordinary and optional medication among elderly persons with dementia at day care centers participating in animal-assisted interventions compared to a control group? 2. Is there an effect on social interaction, quality of life, activeness and wellbeing among elderly persons with dementia at day care centers participating in animal-assisted interventions compared to a control group? 3. Is there an effect on balance among elderly persons with dementia at day care centers participating in animal-assisted therapy compared to animal-assisted activity or a control group? 4. Do relatives of elderly persons with dementia at day care centers experience a change in their own and the elderly's situation after the intervention compared with before the intervention started?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
122
Solgården Dagsenter
Asker, Norway
Lommedalen dagsenter
Bærum, Norway
Vallerhjemmet dagsenter
Bærum, Norway
Pålsetunet dagsenter
Fet, Norway
Fjerdingby dagsenter
Fjerdingby, Norway
Glemmen dagsenter
Fredrikstad, Norway
Tjølling dagsenter
Larvik, Norway
Husebyjordet dagsenter
Lillestrøm, Norway
Åråsveien dagsenter
Lillestrøm, Norway
Myraveien Dagsenter
Moss, Norway
...and 11 more locations
Change in Norwegian version of Berg balance test
Time frame: Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention
Change in Norwegian version of Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID)
Time frame: Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 6 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention
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