The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Anxiety and Emotional Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department

University of Louisville41 enrolled

Overview

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of therapy dogs on children's anxiety and emotional management during a visit to the pediatric emergency department.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Anxiety Emotional Regulation

Interventions

10-minute visit with therapy dog and child life specialist handlerBEHAVIORAL

A visit from a therapy dog and child life specialist will occur which will last for approximately 10 minutes. Parents and patients will be asked to sanitize their hand prior to the visit. The child life specialist will be instructed to have ad lib conversation with the family. The dog will remain on a leash during the visit. The patient will be free to pet the therapy dog if they wish.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 4 YearsMax age: 12 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Children with a SUD score of 30 or higher indicated by the caregiver Exclusion Criteria: * Active infection: abscesses, fever, respiratory issues, vomiting * Patients presenting for burn care, dog bite, ESI triage category 1 or 2, or transferred from outside facilities * Sterile procedures * Oncology patients / patients with known neutropenia in past medical history * Parent/caregiver or patient fear of dogs * Parent/caregiver or patient allergy to dogs * Dog bite injury * Already underwent procedure during their visit

Locations (1)

Norton Children's Hospital

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in observed anxiety score as measured by Child Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS) before and after therapy dog visit

To determine the change in emotional management in children aged 4-12 years after a visit from a therapy dog and child life specialist handler, as measured by an observed CEMS score (Children's Emotional Management Scale) before and after the visit. This will be completed by an investigator. Scores range from 5-25, with higher scores indicating higher levels of observed anxiety.

Time frame: change from baseline at 20 minutes after intervention

Secondary Outcomes

Change in perceived anxiety level of patient by parent as measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) before and after therapy Dog Visit

To determine the change in perceived level of child anxiety as reported by parents after a visit with a therapy dog and child life specialist handler. This will be measured using the Subjective Unit of Distress (SUD) score. Scores range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived anxiety by the parent.

Time frame: change from baseline at 20 minutes after intervention

Overall Parent Satisfaction

Parents will complete a survey describing their satisfaction with their visit

Time frame: Immediately after completion of intervention

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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