Animal-Assisted Therapy in Patients With Schizophrenia
- Conditions
- SchizophreniaAnimal-assisted Therapy
- Interventions
- Other: Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Registration Number
- NCT04476836
- Lead Sponsor
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital
- Brief Summary
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can be helpful to improve the psychiatric, emotional, physical,and social status in patients with physical and mental illness and the elderly.
The study aims to investigate the effects of AAT program in middle-aged and older patients with schizophrenia. The investigators will recruit 40 patients with schizophrenia in psychiatric ward randomised into AAT group and control group. AAT group will complete the 12-week program. This study contains two assessment sessions before and after intervention, including PANSS, ACIS, MoCA-T, CHI, DASS-21, CST, TUG and 5MWT.
- Detailed Description
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can be helpful to improve the outcomes of psychiatric and emotional symptoms, physical activeness, social skills, well-beings in patients with physical and mental illness and the elderly.
The study aims to assess the applications and outcomes of psychiatric symptoms, social skills, cognitive function, well-beings, emotional status and physical fitness of AAT program applied to middle-aged and older patients with chronic schizophrenia.
The investigators will recruit 40 patients with chronic schizophrenia who were admitted to day care ward and rehabilitation ward, and conduct a randomized, controlled study. 40 patients will be stratified by the ward into AAT group and control group. AAT group will complete the 12-week program. This study contains two assessment sessions completed within one week before and after 12-week program. Subjects will be evaluated by the PANSS, ACIS, MoCA-T, CHI, DASS-21, CST, TUG and 5MWT in both sessions. Statistical analysis is examined using paired t-test to see whether there is a significant difference (based on p-value) between the scores of two assessment sessions in the AAT and control group, and using independent t-test to see whether there is a significant difference in the change scores of two assessment sessions between the 2 groups.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- UNKNOWN
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 40
- Having a diagnosis of schizophrenia according to the DSM-5.
- Adult aged 40 years or older.
- Having stable physical and psychological health conditions based on master clinician judgment.
- Having the will to participate in the study after thorough comprehension of the content.
- Not receiving treatment protocol last half a year.
- Severe cognitive impairment e.g. aphasia, being unable to follow 3 or more orders.
- Being allergic to animals.
- History of Asthma.
- Coagulation disorders
- presenting symptoms of specific phobia, anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder in context of dog, infection and contamination.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description AAT group Animal-Assisted Therapy Animal-assisted therapy will be provided one 1-hour session per week for 48 weeks.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change scores of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Baseline, immediate after treatment This test is used for measuring symptom severity of patients with schizophrenia.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change scores of The Assessment of Communication and Interaction Skills Baseline, immediate after treatment This test is an observational rating scale designed to measure communication and interaction skills.
Change scores of The Taiwanese version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment Baseline, immediate after treatment This test is a cognitive screening test in the detection of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
Change scores of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 Baseline, immediate after treatment This test is a 21-item self report instrument for measuring depression, anxiety and tension/stress.
Change scores of Timed Up and Go Baseline, immediate after treatment This test is to assess mobility, balance, walking ability, and fall risk in older adults.
Change scores of Chinese Happiness Inventory Baseline, immediate after treatment This test is a subjective measure of well-being.
Change scores of Chair Stand Test Baseline, immediate after treatment This test is to measure leg strength.
Change scores of The 5-Meter Walk Test Baseline, immediate after treatment This test is to assess walking speed.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center
🇨🇳Kaohsiung, Taiwan