Wildlife and Wellbeing: An Animal-Assisted Intervention for Veterans With PTSD

Not Applicable

Completed

Conditions: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Interventions: Other: Forest walk
Other: Wildlife rehabilitation
Other: Wildlife sanctuary observation
Other: Bird feeding and watching

Registration Number: NCT04116489

Lead Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Brief Summary: This study investigates a novel approach to animal-assisted interventions through a series of wildlife immersion activities (wildlife observation, wildlife rehabilitation and bird feeding/watching) for veterans who have suffered trauma as part of their military duty. Findings from this study will advance scientific knowledge about the benefits of wildlife activities for veterans with PTSD including the acceptability, feasibility, safety and preliminary influence on physical and mental well-being. The findings will be instrumental in advancing a new area of health intervention research for veterans in settings that are publicly accessible and family-oriented for sustainable, low-cost interventions with potential application in other populations.

Detailed Description: This study utilized a single group/ modified crossover design. The intervention included an introductory forest walk followed by 3 wildlife immersion activity experiences in different settings that offered different ways to experience wildlife. This included an introductory forest walk, a wildlife rehabilitation center, a wildlife sanctuary and a bird watching program. Each activity was conducted twice to minimize potential anxiety and novelty effects. Activities were conducted in small groups to provide peer support.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 19

Inclusion Criteria

Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms (per self report)
Fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which is defined by the CDC as:
- 2 weeks after second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
- 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine
Age 18-70
Comfortable interacting with animals
Sufficient mobility to walk or navigate wheelchair up to one mile at leisurely pace
Cognitive ability to complete assessments
Service/ support animals are permitted as long as they meet the following criteria: the animal must be leashed, housebroken and with sufficient training that the owner has control over its barking and any other behaviors that would threaten the safety of other visitors or animals.
Participants with visual or hearing impairments must have corrected vision and hearing through glasses and/ or hearing aid(s).
No active addiction or intoxication as determined by 30 days or more free from drugs or alcohol abuse
Willing to refrain from alcohol and illicit substances before and during activities
No severe immunosuppression or other conditions with advisement by health care provider to limit or prevent contact with animals and birds
No severe outdoor allergy.
Not currently enrolled in the Veteran's Treatment Court program

Exclusion Criteria

Veterans without PTSD/PTSD symptoms (per self report
Not fully vaccinated against Covid-19
Age <18 or >70
Not comfortable interacting with animals
Not sufficiently mobile to walk or navigate wheelchair up to one mile at leisurely pace
Cognitively unable to complete assessments
Service/ support animals that do not meet the following criteria: leashed, housebroken and with sufficient training that the owner has control over its barking and any other behaviors that would threaten the safety of other visitors or animals.
Participants with visual or hearing impairments who do not have corrected vision and hearing through glasses and/ or hearing aid(s).
Active addiction or intoxication as determined by < 30 days free from drugs or alcohol abuse
Not willing to refrain from alcohol and illicit substances before and during activities
Severe immunosuppression or other conditions with advisement by health care provider to limit or prevent contact with animals and birds
Severe outdoor allergy
Currently enrolled in the Veteran's Treatment Court program

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Wildlife Immersion Activity	Wildlife rehabilitation	We will use a crossover design in which each participant receives an introductory forest walk followed by 3 wildlife immersion activity experiences in different settings .
Wildlife Immersion Activity	Wildlife sanctuary observation	We will use a crossover design in which each participant receives an introductory forest walk followed by 3 wildlife immersion activity experiences in different settings .
Wildlife Immersion Activity	Forest walk	We will use a crossover design in which each participant receives an introductory forest walk followed by 3 wildlife immersion activity experiences in different settings .
Wildlife Immersion Activity	Bird feeding and watching	We will use a crossover design in which each participant receives an introductory forest walk followed by 3 wildlife immersion activity experiences in different settings .

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Incidence of Recruitment of Study Participants	at recruitment, day 1	Recruitment of study participants will be measured in order to determine the feasibility of delivering a wildlife program to veterans with PTSD.
Change in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms	Baseline to study conclusion (approximately 12 weeks per participant).	PTSD symptoms will be measured with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) which is a 20-item measure that assesses PTSD symptoms. Scores range from 0-80 with 33 or higher suggesting a provisional PTSD diagnosis. A higher score is worse.
Change in Perception of Well Being	Baseline to study conclusion (approximately 12 weeks per participant).	Perception of well being will be measured with the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale which is a 14 item instrument with scores ranging from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate higher perceived well being.
Change in Depression	Baseline to study conclusion (approximately 12 weeks per participant).	Participant depression will be measured by the Center for the Epidemiological Study of Depression short form (CES-D-10) a 10 item instrument with a score range of 0-30 with higher scores indicating higher level of depression
Change in Level of Anxiety	Baseline to after final activity (approximately 12 weeks per participant)	Anxiety will be measured by the Speilberger State/Trait Anxiety Inventory 6-item scale. Range is 20-80 with higher score being worse.
Retention of Participants	Approximately 12 weeks	Number of participants who complete the study in comparison to those who enrolled in study (19)