Animal-assisted Interventions in Health Promotion for Elderly With Dementia

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Dementia
• Interventions: Other: Animal-assisted activity; Other: Animal-assisted therapy

• Registration Number: NCT02008630
• Lead Sponsor: Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Brief Summary

The overall research aim of this study is to investigate changes in measures related to the risk of falls among elderly with dementia participating in animal-assisted interventions. Also relatives' experience of own and the elderly's situation during and after the intervention will be examined. The design will be a prospective and cluster randomized multicenter trial, but mixed-methods will be used to target different outcomes. The study population will be elderly (age above 65) at day care centers diagnosed with dementia, or having a cognitive deficit. The intervention will consist of 30 minutes sessions with animal-assisted activity or animal-assisted therapy two times a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants. Control groups will receive treatment as usual. Research questions:

1. Is there an effect in use of ordinary and optional medication among elderly persons with dementia at day care centers participating in animal-assisted interventions compared to a control group?

2. Is there an effect on social interaction, quality of life, activeness and wellbeing among elderly persons with dementia at day care centers participating in animal-assisted interventions compared to a control group?

3. Is there an effect on balance among elderly persons with dementia at day care centers participating in animal-assisted therapy compared to animal-assisted activity or a control group?

4. Do relatives of elderly persons with dementia at day care centers experience a change in their own and the elderly's situation after the intervention compared with before the intervention started?

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-01
• Study First Submitted: 2013-12-06
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-12-10
• Study First Posted: 2013-12-11
• Primary Completion: 2014-05
• Study Completion: 2014-08
• Status Verified: 2014-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-09-26
• Last Update Posted: 2014-09-29

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 122

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of dementia or having a cognitive deficit measured as a score less than 25 on Mini-Mental State Examination.

Exclusion Criteria

• Fear of dogs, dog allergy or need of wheel chair

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Animal-assisted activity	Animal-assisted activity	30 minutes group session with animal-assisted activity twice a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants.
Animal-assisted therapy	Animal-assisted therapy	30 minutes group session with animal-assisted therapy twice a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Norwegian version of Berg balance test	Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Norwegian version of Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID)	Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 6 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (21)

Glemmen dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Fredrikstad, Norway

Husebyjordet dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Lillestrøm, Norway

Lommedalen dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Bærum, Norway

Pålsetunet dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Fet, Norway

Fjerdingby dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Fjerdingby, Norway

Åråsveien dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Lillestrøm, Norway

Tjølling dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Larvik, Norway

Skogbrynet dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Moss, Norway

Myraveien Dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Moss, Norway

Dagsenter Nedre Eiker; 🇳🇴 Nedre Eiker, Norway

Nes Dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Nes, Norway

Bjønnesåsen Dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Nøtterøy, Norway

Re Dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Re, Norway

Lunden dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Sandefjord, Norway

Sandetun dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Sande, Norway

Eik dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Tønsberg, Norway

Bjørkås dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Oppegård, Norway

Sørvald dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Sørum, Norway

Nes dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Tønsberg, Norway

Solgården Dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Asker, Norway

Vallerhjemmet dagsenter; 🇳🇴 Bærum, Norway