Animal-assisted Intervention in Adolescents Admitted to Acute Psychiatric Units.

Efficacy Study of an Animal-assisted Intervention in Adolescents Admitted to Acute Psychiatric Units: Mentaldog Multicenter Study.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of AAT intervention in adolescents admitted to the Acute Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, regardless of diagnosis, in terms of improving self-efficacy and reducing anxiety symptoms. To assess professional opinions on the effects of intervention on participants, and to determine participant satisfaction. These objectives were accomplished through a multicenter, non-randomized, open-label, two-arm controlled study of AAT for adolescents with mental disorders.

The rationale of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Animal Assisted Therapy (with therapy dogs) in adolescents admitted to the Acute Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit and regardless of diagnosis. The investigators conducted a multicenter, non-randomized, controlled, open-label, two-arm clinical trial in three hospitals. A total of 178 adolescents admitted to the Acute Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit were included in the study. Participants from the three hospitals were assigned to Experimental Group (n=114) and participants from one hospital were assigned to Control Group (n=64). Both the experimental group and the control group carried out a total of two one-hour group sessions at the hospitals' own facilities, on a weekly basis for two consecutive weeks; with the additional assistance of the therapy dog in the Experimental group. The investigators evaluated changes on self-efficacy and anxiety symptoms at pre-treatment and post-treatment; and they assessed professional opinions on the effects of intervention on participants at post-treatment, and determined participant satisfaction at post-treatment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Be between 13 and 17 years of age.
• Willing to participate in the study on a voluntary basis.
• Delivery of the information sheet and signature of the informed consent (participant and legal guardian).
• Attendance at both group sessions from the intervention.

Exclusion Criteria:

• If in the initial interview they declared having allergy or fear of dogs.
• History of aggression towards animals.
• Re-admissions who had already participated in the study.
• If, when informed, the patient and/or his/her legal guardian did not wish to participate in the study.