The Impact of an Animal-assisted Activity on the Stress Level of Hospitalized Children: a Randomized Trial
The Impact of an Animal-assisted Activity on the Stress Level of Hospitalized Children: a Randomized Trial
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.
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