Title: Urinary Oxytocin Levels in Children Receiving Animal-Assisted Therapy
- Conditions
- Animal Assisted Therapy
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Hospital dog
- Registration Number
- NCT06414876
- Lead Sponsor
- Uppsala University
- Brief Summary
There has been growing interest in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in recent decades due to increasing reports indicating its health benefits for adult patients. These benefits are partly attributed to changes, usually increased levels of the neuropeptide oxytocin.
Aim: To investigate changes in oxytocin levels in hospitalized children during animal-assisted therapy sessions with a certified hospital dog.
Method: Urine samples were collected from 35 hospitalized children (3-17 years) before and after each participant had a session with the hospital dog. Oxytocin levels were analysed with an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Creatinine levels were measured to determine the subject's fluid intake and then divided by the hormonal concentration (uOT pg/mg).
- Detailed Description
Not available
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 50
- Hospitalized children
- Multiresistent bacteria
- Immunosuppressed
- Large burns
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- CROSSOVER
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description The children played with the hospital dog and then by themselves. Hospital dog - The children played by themselves and then with the hospital dog. Hospital dog -
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in oxytocin levels Day of enrollment Concentration of oxytocin (pg/mg) in urine samples measured by ELISA.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method