Effects of a Dog-assisted Therapy on Quality of Life, Work Engagement and Burnout Among Professionals Working in a School for Special Education
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Occupational Groups
- Sponsor
- Daniel Collado-Mateo
- Enrollment
- 30
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Changes in Burnout levels assessed using the Burnout Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)
- Last Updated
- 4 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of an 8-week program consisting of dog-assisted therapy on the work engagement, burnout, pain, and quality of life among professionals working in a School for Special Education. A total of 30 participants will be involved in the program, which will be comprised of eight 50-min sessions conducted once a week. The hypothesis of the researchers in this study is that this program will achieve a reduction in burnout levels in workers, as well as an improvement in engagement and quality of life.
Detailed Description
Animal-assisted interventions have shown numerous benefits in different populations including children with cerebral palsy or autism spectrum disorder, people with chronic pain, older adults, or people in prison. Recently, different initiatives have been carried out focused on improving the work environment, especially among professionals in clinical settings and obtaining benefits in mood, as well as a reduction in the levels of stress and burnout of employees. In addition, it has also been observed that these animals in the workplace can produce an improvement in health, productivity or job satisfaction. The presence of stress or anxiety among professionals working in Special Education Schools has been previously reported and could increase burnout and reduce the engagement and health-related quality of life of these workers. Therefore, the current randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of an 8-week program consisting of dog-assisted therapy on the work engagement, burnout, pain, and quality of life among professionals working in a School for Special Education. A total of 30 participants will be involved in the program, which will be comprised of eight 50-min sessions conducted once a week. The hypothesis of the researchers is that this program will achieve a reduction in burnout levels in workers, as well as an improvement in engagement and quality of life.
Investigators
Daniel Collado-Mateo
Assistant Professor
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •be aged \>18 years
- •be workers in a School for Special Education
- •work in direct contact with children (teachers, physiotherapists, etc.)
Exclusion Criteria
- •People with dog-allergy
- •People with dog phobia
- •People with a history of impulsive animal aggression
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Changes in Burnout levels assessed using the Burnout Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)
Time Frame: At baseline and immediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)
The Burnout Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is a tool for the assessment of burnout, as an antithesis of the UWES questionnaire focused on engagement. This questionnaire consists of 22 items that give rise to 3 dimensions: Emotional exhaustion (decrease and loss of energy or emotional resources); Depersonalization or Cynicism (negative attitudes and feelings towards the people for whom the work is intended) and Lack of personal accomplishment or professional efficacy (tendency of professionals to evaluate themselves negatively).
Changes in Burnout levels assessed using the Burnout Clinical Subtypes Questionnaire
Time Frame: At baseline and immediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)
The Burnout Clinical Subtypes Questionnaire (BCSQ-36) evaluates by means of 36 items the burnout of the participants. Each of the items can be scored on a Likert scale from 1 to 7; 1 being totally disagree and 7 being totally agree. In addition, the questionnaire is divided into 3 subtypes with their respective dimensions: Frantic subtype (Involvement, Ambition and Overload), Unchallenged subtype (Indifference, Boredom and Lack of Development), Worn-out subtype (Abandonment, Lack of Control and Lack of Recognition). The Burnout Clinical Subtypes Questionnaire (BCSQ-12) also assesses burnout and is calculated with the items of the BCSQ-36.
Changes in Burnout levels assessed using one Item for Burnout assessment
Time Frame: At baseline and immediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session)
One Item for Burnout assessment where under the statement of "In general, according to your definition of burnout, how would you rate your level of burnout?" participants have 5 response options from "I enjoy my work. I have no symptoms of burnout" to "I feel completely burned out and often wonder if I can keep going. I am at a point where I may need some changes or should seek some kind of help."
Secondary Outcomes
- Changes in pain(At baseline and immediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in work engagement(At baseline and immediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in Health-related quality of life(At baseline and immediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in blood pressure(At baseline and immediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))
- Changes in Health Status(At baseline and immediately after the intervention (within 7 days after the last session))