Dog Assisted Therapy: Comparing Duration Treatments for Patients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

• Registration Number: NCT06763614
• Lead Sponsor: Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute

Brief Summary

The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a shorter version program of Dog Assisted Therapy (DAT) (8 sessions) compared to a longer version (16 sessions) for children and adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD). We evaluated the impact of DAT on social skills, internalizing and externalizing problems, quality of life, severity of the disorder and emotional well-being of parents. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a cohort of 55 patients with FASD.

Detailed Description

FASD can be classified into three subtypes. FAS is identified by (1) facial abnormalities, (2) growth deficits, abnormal brain development, or irregularities in neurophysiology, and (3) neurobehavioral issues. Partial Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) shares similarities but presents with fewer physical characteristics, while Alcohol-Related Neurobehavioral Disorder (ARND) solely exhibits neurobehavioral symptoms without facial anomalies.

Previous research has highlighted the effectiveness of psychological intervention programs focused on emotional regulation for individuals with FASD. Similarly, studies have emphasized the benefits of interventions targeting social skills. These interventions have been shown to result in reductions in externalizing behaviors, with social skills training specifically correlating with improvements in social competence and a decrease in problematic behaviors Recently a new form of behavioral therapy has been gaining popularity in improving the physical and mental health of young adults, known as Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). Animal Assisted Therapy lays its foundation in human attachment theory and social cognitive theory where it is argued that animals can be potentially viewed as a transitional attachment object and thus aid to improve psychosocial functioning.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2022-02-20
• Status Verified: 2023-07
• Primary Completion: 2023-08-20
• Study Completion: 2023-08-20
• Study First Submitted: 2024-07-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-07
• Study First Posted: 2025-01-08
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-08

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 55

Inclusion Criteria

all participants needed to have stable doses of medication for at least two months before the study and agree not to seek out any other psychiatric or psychological treatment during the study.

Exclusion Criteria

Patients who were not behaviorally stable, presented agressive behavior or required more intensive treatment (hospitalization or day hospital) were excluded.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children	Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16	Intellectual Quotient
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL by Achenbach)	Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16	Internalizing/ Externalizing Symptoms maximum scores for symptom severity 113
Social Skills Improvement System-Parent Form (SSIS-P)	Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16	Social skills assessment - 0 to 60 max scotring
KidScreen 27- 0 maximum 135 - highest severity symptoms at 135	Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16	Quality of life assesment
Clinical Global Impression Scale for Severity.0 to 7 (7 most severely ill).	Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16	Severity of FASD symptoms

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron; 🇪🇸 Barcelona, Spain