Behavioural and Physiological Responses to Dog Visits in Nursing Homes
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 进行中（未招募）
- 入组人数
- 50
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Heart rate variability
研究概览
简要总结
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.
详细描述
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.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Crossover
- 主要目的
- Basic Science
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 65 Years 至 —（Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •Age of 65 years or more
- •Able to sit during visits (either in a chair or in a bed)
排除标准
- •Known allergy to dogs
- •Known fear of dogs
结局指标
主要结局
Heart rate variability
时间窗: 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
时间窗: 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
时间窗: 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
时间窗: During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after
The test persons behaviour is observed
次要结局
- Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit(5 minutes after visit 6)
- The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person.(5 minutes after visit 6)