Amy McCullough1, Ashleigh Ruehrdanz1, Molly A Jenkins1, Mary Jo Gilmer2,3,4, Janice Olson5, Anjali Pawar6, Leslie Holley7, Shirley Sierra-Rivera7, Deborah E Linder8, Danielle Pichette9, Neil J Grossman10, Cynthia Hellman1, Noémi A Guérin11, Marguerite E O'Haire11. 1. 1 American Humane, Washington, DC, USA. 2. 2 Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN, USA. 3. 3 Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN, USA. 4. 4 Pediatric Palliative Care Research Team, Nashville, TN, USA. 5. 5 Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, Portland, OR, USA. 6. 6 UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sacramento, CA, USA. 7. 7 St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA. 8. 8 Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA. 9. 9 University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA. 10. 10 UMass Memorial Children's Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA. 11. 11 Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This multicenter, parallel-group, randomized trial examined the effects of an animal-assisted intervention on the stress, anxiety, and health-related quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer and their parents. METHOD:Newly diagnosed patients, aged 3 to 17 years (n = 106), were randomized to receive either standard care plus regular visits from a therapy dog (intervention group), or standard care only (control group). Data were collected at set points over 4 months of the child's treatment. Measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory™, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Pediatric Inventory for Parents, and child blood pressure and heart rate. All instruments were completed by the child and/or his/her parent(s). RESULTS: Children in both groups experienced a significant reduction in state anxiety ( P < .001). Parents in the intervention group showed significantly decreased parenting stress ( P = .008), with no changes in stress among parents in the control group. However, no significant differences between groups over time on any measures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Animal-assisted interventions may provide certain benefits for parents and families during the initial stages of pediatric cancer treatment.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: This multicenter, parallel-group, randomized trial examined the effects of an animal-assisted intervention on the stress, anxiety, and health-related quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer and their parents. METHOD: Newly diagnosed patients, aged 3 to 17 years (n = 106), were randomized to receive either standard care plus regular visits from a therapy dog (intervention group), or standard care only (control group). Data were collected at set points over 4 months of the child's treatment. Measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory™, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Pediatric Inventory for Parents, and child blood pressure and heart rate. All instruments were completed by the child and/or his/her parent(s). RESULTS:Children in both groups experienced a significant reduction in state anxiety ( P < .001). Parents in the intervention group showed significantly decreased parenting stress ( P = .008), with no changes in stress among parents in the control group. However, no significant differences between groups over time on any measures were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Animal-assisted interventions may provide certain benefits for parents and families during the initial stages of pediatric cancer treatment.
Authors: Jeffrey A Kline; Michelle A Fisher; Katherine L Pettit; Courtney T Linville; Alan M Beck Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-01-09 Impact factor: 3.240
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