Randomized Controlled Trial and Subjective Experience of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Adolescents Attending a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day Hospital: A Mixed-Methods Study
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- Hospital Clinic of Barcelona
- Enrollment
- 70
- Locations
- 1
Study Overview
Brief Summary
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a dog-assisted therapy program integrated into a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day Hospital, as well as to explore participants' subjective experiences.
Mental health disorders in adolescence are common and often require intensive treatment approaches. Day hospitals provide structured care while allowing adolescents to remain in their family and social environments. Dog-assisted therapy has been proposed as a complementary intervention that may support emotional regulation, reduce distress, and enhance motivation and engagement in treatment.
A mixed-methods study was conducted, combining a randomized controlled trial with a qualitative phenomenological analysis. A total of 70 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years attending a mental health day hospital were included. Participants were randomly assigned to an experimental group, which received dog-assisted therapy in addition to treatment as usual, or to a control group that received treatment as usual only.
The intervention consisted of eight structured sessions of dog-assisted therapy, each lasting approximately 45 minutes. Clinical and emotional outcomes were assessed before and after the intervention using standardized instruments. In addition, immediate emotional changes were evaluated before and after each session. A qualitative component based on semi-structured interviews was conducted to better understand participants' experiences.
The study seeks to provide evidence on whether dog-assisted therapy can be a useful complementary intervention in adolescent mental health care, particularly in improving immediate emotional regulation, motivation, and therapeutic engagement.
This is an interventional trial registered retrospectively after study completion. Data were collected between [01/01/2024] and (31.12.2025]
Detailed Description
Adolescence is a critical developmental period associated with increased vulnerability to mental health disorders, including affective, anxiety, behavioral, and eating disorders. These conditions often present with complex symptom profiles and significantly impact emotional regulation, interpersonal functioning, and engagement in treatment.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day Hospitals provide intensive, structured care while allowing adolescents to remain in their family and social environments. However, maintaining motivation and therapeutic engagement in this context can be challenging, highlighting the need for complementary interventions that facilitate emotional connection and participation.
Dog-Assisted Therapy (DAT) is a structured intervention involving interactions between patients and trained dogs under professional supervision, with predefined therapeutic goals. Previous research suggests that DAT may reduce stress and anxiety, enhance emotional regulation, and improve motivation and social interaction. Nevertheless, evidence from controlled studies in intensive treatment settings remains limited.
This study evaluates the effectiveness and feasibility of integrating DAT into routine care in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day Hospital. A mixed-methods design was used, combining a randomized controlled trial with a qualitative phenomenological approach.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive either DAT in addition to standard treatment or standard treatment alone. The intervention consisted of eight structured sessions delivered over approximately eight weeks within the Day Hospital program.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 12 Years to 18 Years (Child, Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •Adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years
- •Receiving treatment at a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day Hospital
- •Willingness and motivation to participate in the intervention
- •Written informed consent provided by the participant and their legal guardians
Exclusion Criteria
- •Estimated intelligence quotient (IQ) below 80
- •Allergy to dogs
- •Fear of dogs or animal phobia
- •History of aggressive behavior towards animals