The Impact of an Animal-assisted Activity on the Stress Level of Hospitalized Children: a Randomized Trial
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Hospitalization in Children
- Sponsor
- Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
- Enrollment
- 14
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Change in visual analogue stress scale
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 4 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The aim of this research is to study the effect of an animal-assisted activity (AAA) on the stress level of hospitalized children.
Detailed Description
A hospitalization is a major stressor in a child's life, which can have negative effects on recovery. It is assumed that animal-assisted interventions can have a positive effect on the level of stress, but this has not yet been sufficiently researched. This study aims to measure a possible effect. Children who are hospitalized will receive an animal-assisted activity. A normal afternoon in their hospital room counts as a control activity. The stress level is measured through saliva cortisol, blood pressure, heart rhythm variability and a visual analogue stress scale.
Investigators
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •hospitalized in the Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel
- •dutch and/or french speaking.
Exclusion Criteria
- •decreased immunity
- •multi-resistant germs
- •disturbed diabetes
- •fever of unknown origin
- •fear of animals
- •dogs or cats allergy
- •cognitive impairment
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Change in visual analogue stress scale
Time Frame: 1 hour
A 10-point scale for patient self-reporting of stress. The scale ranges from 0-10 where 0 indicates a better and 10 indicates a worse outcome.
Change in saliva cortisol
Time Frame: 1 hour
A marker of the activity of the hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal axis.
Change in heart rate variability (HVR)
Time Frame: 1 hour
A marker of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.
Change in systolic and diastolic blood pressure
Time Frame: 1 hour
A marker of the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.