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| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| Hospital Universitari Santa Maria, Spain | OTHER |
| Hospital de Mataró | OTHER |
| Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain | OTHER |
| Universidad Rey Juan Carlos |
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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.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental Group (EG) | Experimental | The experimental group carried out a total of two one-hour group sessions at the three hospitals' own facilities, on a weekly basis for two consecutive weeks. The groups were formed by 8-10 participants. Sessions included the participation of one certified therapy dog, one technician specialized in AAT, an occupational therapist and a psychologist. There was a referring psychiatrist for the project at each center. Participants received their usual pharmacological treatment. Intervention (with the additional assistance of the therapy dog): Session 1, self-efficacy (executive functions, cause-effect thinking). Session 2, emotional self-regulation and frustration tolerance. |
|
| Control Group (CG) | Active Comparator | The control group carried out a total of two one-hour group sessions at the hospital's own facility, on a weekly basis for two consecutive weeks. The groups were formed by 8-10 participants. Sessions included the participation of an occupational therapist and a psychologist. There was a referring psychiatrist for the project. Participants received their usual pharmacological treatment. Intervention (same sessions without the therapy dog): Session 1, self-efficacy (executive functions, cause-effect thinking). Session 2, emotional self-regulation and frustration tolerance. |
|
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) | Behavioral | A structured AAT program and pharmacological treatment in Experimental group. The same structured program without therapy dog and pharmacological treatment in Control group. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Change from baseline General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE) at 2 weeks. | Is a generic self-administered instrument for measuring self-efficacy beliefs in certain life situations. The total scale score ranges from 10 to 40 points. | This scale was administered at baseline and at week 2 |
| Change from baseline State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (STAI) at 2 weeks. | Is a self-administered questionnaire that assesses the levels of clinical anxiety (both trait anxiety ("most of the time") and state anxiety ("at the present moment")). The total score on each of the subscales ranges from 0 to 60 points. | This questionnaire was administered at baseline and at week 2 |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Participant evaluation questionnaire for professionals. | This is a questionnaire that was completed by the professionals in the three hospitals at the end of the intervention with the EG, using a Likert scale from 1 to 4 (1= Not at all, 2= Somewhat, 3= Quite, and 4= A lot). It contains the following questions:
|
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Participant satisfaction questionnaire at the end of the intervention. | The following question was asked in writing and answered by all participants (CG + EG): Did you enjoy the activity that was carried out? It consists of a Likert scale of 1= Not at all, 2= Somewhat, 3= Quite and 4= A lot. | At the end of the intervention (week 2). |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| M. Dolores Rodrigo Claverol, PhD | Fundacio d'Investigacio en Atencio Primaria Jordi Gol i Gurina | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital de Mataró | Mataró | Barcelona | 08304 | Spain | ||
| Hospital Universitari Santa Maria |
| PubMed Identifier | Type | Citation | Retractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41998672 | Derived | Rodrigo-Claverol M, Manuel-Canals M, Lobato-Rincon LL, Roman-Casenave M, Rodriguez-Criado N, Rodrigo-Claverol E, Miro-Bernaus Y, Musull-Dulcet E, Gozalez-Garcia I, Pifarre J. Effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy in adolescent psychiatric inpatients: a multicenter clinical trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2026 Apr 17;26(1):199. doi: 10.1186/s12906-026-05385-4. |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D000092862 | Psychological Well-Being |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D010549 | Personal Satisfaction |
| D001519 | Behavior |
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D056447 | Animal Assisted Therapy |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D012046 | Rehabilitation |
| D000359 | Aftercare |
| D003266 | Continuity of Patient Care |
| D005791 | Patient Care |
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| OTHER |
Multicenter, non-randomized, controlled, open-label, two-arm clinical trial
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| At the end of the intervention (week 2). |
| Lleida |
| 25198 |
| Spain |
| Hospital Universitario Infantil Niño Jesús | Madrid | 28009 | Spain |
| D013812 |
| Therapeutics |
| D026741 | Physical Therapy Modalities |
| D011613 | Psychotherapy |
| D004191 | Behavioral Disciplines and Activities |
| D006296 | Health Services |
| D005159 | Health Care Facilities Workforce and Services |