The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Anxiety and Emotional Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Anxiety
- Sponsor
- University of Louisville
- Enrollment
- 41
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in observed anxiety score as measured by Child Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS) before and after therapy dog visit
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 4 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of therapy dogs on children's anxiety and emotional management during a visit to the pediatric emergency department.
Investigators
Michelle D. Stevenson
Professor of Pediatrics Director of Research Development, Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville Norton Children's Medical Group, Affiliated with the U of L School of Medicine
University of Louisville
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •Children with a SUD score of 30 or higher indicated by the caregiver
Exclusion Criteria
- •Active infection: abscesses, fever, respiratory issues, vomiting
- •Patients presenting for burn care, dog bite, ESI triage category 1 or 2, or transferred from outside facilities
- •Sterile procedures
- •Oncology patients / patients with known neutropenia in past medical history
- •Parent/caregiver or patient fear of dogs
- •Parent/caregiver or patient allergy to dogs
- •Dog bite injury
- •Already underwent procedure during their visit
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in observed anxiety score as measured by Child Emotional Manifestation Scale (CEMS) before and after therapy dog visit
Time Frame: change from baseline at 20 minutes after intervention
To determine the change in emotional management in children aged 4-12 years after a visit from a therapy dog and child life specialist handler, as measured by an observed CEMS score (Children's Emotional Management Scale) before and after the visit. This will be completed by an investigator. Scores range from 5-25, with higher scores indicating higher levels of observed anxiety.
Secondary Outcomes
- Overall Parent Satisfaction(Immediately after completion of intervention)
- Change in perceived anxiety level of patient by parent as measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDs) before and after therapy Dog Visit(change from baseline at 20 minutes after intervention)