The aim of this research is to study the effect of an animal-assisted activity (AAA) on the stress level of hospitalized children.
A hospitalization is a major stressor in a child's life, which can have negative effects on recovery. It is assumed that animal-assisted interventions can have a positive effect on the level of stress, but this has not yet been sufficiently researched. This study aims to measure a possible effect. Children who are hospitalized will receive an animal-assisted activity. A normal afternoon in their hospital room counts as a control activity. The stress level is measured through saliva cortisol, blood pressure, heart rhythm variability and a visual analogue stress scale.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
14
The intervention is an animal-assisted activity consisting of a visit to Villa Samson (a place on the campus of the hospital specifically intended for patients to meet pets), where the child will work with a therapy dog for 1 hour. Under supervision, the animal is stroked and combed by the child, they play games together, the child feeds the animal, etc.
The control intervention reenacts a normal stay in the hospital, so the child spends one hour in the hospital room where the child can play, watch tv, etc.
UZ Brussel
Jette, Belgium
Change in heart rate variability (HVR)
A marker of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
Time frame: 1 hour
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure
A marker of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
Time frame: 1 hour
Change in saliva cortisol
A marker of the activity of the hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal axis.
Time frame: 1 hour
Change in visual analogue stress scale
A 10-point scale for patient self-reporting of stress. The scale ranges from 0-10 where 0 indicates a better and 10 indicates a worse outcome.
Time frame: 1 hour
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