Behavioural and Physiological Responses to Dog Visits in Nursing Homes
- Conditions
- MoodPhysiological ResponsesBehavior
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Control visits/dog visitsBehavioral: Dog visits/control visits
- Registration Number
- NCT05516264
- Lead Sponsor
- University of Aarhus
- Brief Summary
In brief the study aims to investigate how nursing home residents receiving dog visits respond to contact with the dog, by comparing visits with and without a dog present. The investigators will measure the response with non-invasive measures of the immediate physiological response, and objective behavioural measurements to quantity the activity and the actual amount and intensity of contact to the dog.
- Detailed Description
The residents will receive six 10-minute visits, three visits with a dog and three without a dog, with a week-long break in between the two visit types. The participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the three dog visits or the three visits without a dog first. The visits will be from the same person, and the dog visits will be accompanied with the same dog each time. During dog visits, the dog will be available for touch, and the resident will be encouraged to interact with the dog.
Before each visit the resident is fitted with the equipment for measuring continuously recorded physiological measures and then relaxes for 30 minutes. Immediately before and five and 30 minutes after each visit, the investigators obtain a saliva sample to detect cortisol levels.
The behaviour of the participants will be video recorded during the visits to quantify the frequency and duration of predefined behavioural elements, using ethological methodology. The investigators will quantify the participants' activity during the visits as well as the frequency and duration of tactile contact with the dog, and verbal communication with the dog and the visitor.
In addition, the visitor and the observer present during the visit will subjectively assess the resident's perception of the visit.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 50
- Age of 65 years or more
- Able to sit during visits (either in a chair or in a bed)
- Known allergy to dogs
- Known fear of dogs
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Control visits first Control visits/dog visits Participants receive the three control visits first and then, after a break, receive the three dog visits Dog visits first Dog visits/control visits Participants receive the three dogs visits first and then, after a break, receive the three control visits
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Heart rate variability During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
Salivary cortisol Visit 6, 30 minutes after visit Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Heart rate During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
Behaviour during visits During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after The test persons behaviour is observed
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit 5 minutes after visit 6 Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person. 5 minutes after visit 6 Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Karen Thodberg
🇩🇰Højslev, Denmark