The Presence of a Therapy Dog Reduces Pain and Anxiety During Pediatric Elbow Pin Removal

Not Applicable

Recruiting

• Conditions: Elbow Injury

• Registration Number: NCT05830201
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research study is to assess whether the presence of therapy dogs can reduce pain and anxiety in children ages 3 to 10 having pins removed from their elbow.

Detailed Description

This procedure is done in an outpatient clinic 3-4 weeks after the pins are placed and can be uncomfortable and cause anxiety in some patients. Therapy dogs are trained to sit calmly with a patient on or near the exam table as a distraction from procedures.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-03-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-04-14
• Study First Posted: 2023-04-26
• Study Start: 2024-10-01
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-31
• Last Update Posted: 2025-02-04
• Primary Completion: 2026-01
• Study Completion: 2026-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

• presenting to clinic for elbow pin removal post elbow fracture surgery

Exclusion Criteria

• dog allergy
• fear of dogs

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pain Response	1 year	Wong-Baker FACES scale, a validated scale for assessing pain in pediatric patients, will be used to compare pain response; The scale contains a series of six faces ranging from a happy face at 0 to indicate "no hurt" to a crying face at 10 to indicate "hurts worst."

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Anxiety Response	1 year	anxiety response will be assessed with heart rate in beats per minute

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

UAB; 🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, United States