In brief the study aims to investigate how nursing home residents receiving dog visits respond to contact with the dog, by comparing visits with and without a dog present. The investigators will measure the response with non-invasive measures of the immediate physiological response, and objective behavioural measurements to quantity the activity and the actual amount and intensity of contact to the dog.
The residents will receive six 10-minute visits, three visits with a dog and three without a dog, with a week-long break in between the two visit types. The participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the three dog visits or the three visits without a dog first. The visits will be from the same person, and the dog visits will be accompanied with the same dog each time. During dog visits, the dog will be available for touch, and the resident will be encouraged to interact with the dog. Before each visit the resident is fitted with the equipment for measuring continuously recorded physiological measures and then relaxes for 30 minutes. Immediately before and five and 30 minutes after each visit, the investigators obtain a saliva sample to detect cortisol levels. The behaviour of the participants will be video recorded during the visits to quantify the frequency and duration of predefined behavioural elements, using ethological methodology. The investigators will quantify the participants' activity during the visits as well as the frequency and duration of tactile contact with the dog, and verbal communication with the dog and the visitor. In addition, the visitor and the observer present during the visit will subjectively assess the resident's perception of the visit.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
See arm description above
See arm description above
Karen Thodberg
Højslev, Denmark
Heart rate
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
Time frame: During visit no. 1, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
Time frame: During visit no. 2, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
Time frame: During visit no. 3, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
Time frame: During visit no. 4, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
Time frame: During visit no. 5, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
Time frame: During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
Time frame: During visit no. 1, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
Time frame: During visit no. 2, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
Time frame: During visit no. 3, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
Time frame: During visit no. 4, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
Time frame: During visit no. 5, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Heart rate variability
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
Time frame: During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Behaviour during visits
The test persons behaviour is observed
Time frame: During visit no. 1, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Behaviour during visits
The test persons behaviour is observed
Time frame: During visit no. 2, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Behaviour during visits
The test persons behaviour is observed
Time frame: During visit no. 3, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Behaviour during visits
The test persons behaviour is observed
Time frame: During visit no. 4, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Behaviour during visits
The test persons behaviour is observed
Time frame: During visit no. 5, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Behaviour during visits
The test persons behaviour is observed
Time frame: During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 1, 2 minutes before visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 2, 2 minutes before visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 3, 2 minutes before visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 4, 2 minutes before visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 5, 2 minutes before visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 6, 2 minutes before visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 1, 5 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 2, 5 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 3, 5 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 4, 5 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 5, 5 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 6, 5 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 1, 30 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 2, 30 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 3, 30 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 4, 30 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 5, 30 minutes after visit
Salivary cortisol
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Time frame: Visit 6, 30 minutes after visit
The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person.
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 1
The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person.
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 2
The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person.
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 3
The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person.
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 4
The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person.
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 5
The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person.
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 6
Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 1
Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 2
Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 3
Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 4
Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 5
Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
Time frame: 5 minutes after visit 6