MedPath

Interest of Animal-assisted Therapy With Dogs in the Treatment of Depression

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Depression
Interventions
Procedure: Occupational activities
Procedure: Dog-assisted therapy
Registration Number
NCT06449690
Lead Sponsor
Fondation Bon Sauveur De La Manche
Brief Summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial (comparing "occupational activities" versus "dog-assisted therapy" arms) investigating the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy with dogs in small groups of participants with depression. Patients in the "dog-assisted therapy" arm will participate in two group sessions (groups of 3 to 7 participants) of canine-assisted therapy, supervised by a healthcare professional certified in animal-assisted therapy alongside a psychiatric caregiver, for 30 minutes each week over 6 weeks. Patients in the "occupational activities" arm will participate in two group sessions (groups of 3 to 7 participants) of occupational activities, supervised by a healthcare professional experienced in group occupational activities alongside a psychiatric caregiver, for 30 minutes each week over 6 weeks.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
58
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patient aged 18 to 65
  • Patient affiliated with a social security scheme
  • Patient hospitalized under voluntary psychiatric care
  • Diagnosis of depression according to DSM-5-TR criteria
  • QIDS-C16 score ≥11 at screening
  • QIDS-SR16 score ≥11 at screening and inclusion
Exclusion Criteria
  • Severe comorbid psychiatric disorder
  • Imminent risk of suicidal behavior
  • Unstable comorbid somatic condition
  • Vulnerable patients (under guardianship, curatorship, or judicial protection)
  • Known fear of dogs
  • Known allergy to dog fur

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Occupational activitiesOccupational activitiesPatients in the "occupational activities" arm will participate in two group sessions (groups of 3 to 7 participants) of occupational activities, supervised by a healthcare professional experienced in group occupational activities alongside a psychiatric caregiver, for 30 minutes each week over 6 weeks.
Dog-assisted therapyDog-assisted therapyPatients in the "dog-assisted therapy" arm will participate in two group sessions (groups of 3 to 7 participants) of canine-assisted therapy, supervised by a healthcare professional certified in animal-assisted therapy alongside a psychiatric caregiver, for 30 minutes each week over 6 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score from baseline to 6 weeks.Baseline and week 6

The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) is a validated scale for depression assessment, its score is rated between 0 and 52 and a higher score means a more depressed state

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evolution of the 17-item Hamilton scale score between 0 and 3 weeks.Baseline and week 3

The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) is a validated scale for depression assessment, its score is rated between 0 and 52 and a higher score means a more depressed state

Evolution of the quality of life scale score (WHOQOL-BREF) at 3 and 6 weeks, compared to the initial score at W0.Baseline and weeks 3 and 6

The World Health Organization Quality Of Life (WHOQOL) WHOQOL-BREF scale is a validated scale for the measurement of quality of life, its score is rated between 0 and 100 and a higher score means better quality of life

Evaluation of the number of adverse events and serious adverse events related to the therapy under study.From baseline up to 6 weeks

The number of AEs will be used to assess the safety of the therapy.

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath