Animal-assisted or Robot-assisted Interventions in Health Promotion for Elderly With Dementia

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Dementia
• Interventions: Other: Robot-assisted activity; Other: Animal-assisted activity

• Registration Number: NCT01998490
• Lead Sponsor: Norwegian University of Life Sciences

Brief Summary

The overall research aim of this study is to investigate changes in measures related to the risk of falls among elderly with dementia participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions. In addition the study will investigate how knowledge transfer occurs among involved health personnel, and how knowledge is refined and transformed as practical competence. The design will be a prospective and cluster randomized multicenter trial, but mixed-methods will be used to target different outcomes. The study population will be elderly (age above 65) at nursing homes diagnosed with dementia, or having a cognitive deficit. The intervention will consist of 30 minutes sessions with animal-assisted activity or robot-assisted activity two times a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants. Control groups will receive treatment as usual. Research questions:

1. Is there an effect in use of ordinary and optional medication among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group?

2. Is there an effect on agitation, restlessness and depression among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group?

3. Is there an effect on social interaction, activeness and wellbeing among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group?

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-01
• Study First Submitted: 2013-11-19
• Study First Submitted QC: 2013-11-27
• Study First Posted: 2013-11-29
• Primary Completion: 2014-05
• Study Completion: 2014-08
• Status Verified: 2014-09
• Last Update Submitted: 2014-09-26
• Last Update Posted: 2014-09-29

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 88

Inclusion Criteria

• Diagnosis of dementia or having a cognitive deficit measured as a score less than 25 on Mini-Mental State Examination.

Exclusion Criteria

• Fear of dogs
• Dog allergy
• Need of wheel chair

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Robot-assisted activity	Robot-assisted activity	30 minutes group session with robot-assisted activity with the robot seal Paro twice a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants
Animal-assisted activity	Animal-assisted activity	30 minutes group session with animal-assisted activity twice a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Norwegian version of The Brief Agitation Rating Scale	Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (15)

Solheimen senter; 🇳🇴 Halden, Norway

Solliheimen Sykehjem; 🇳🇴 Fredrikstad, Norway

Frida Sykehjem; 🇳🇴 Larvik, Norway

Lørenskog Sykehjem, avd. Losbyveien; 🇳🇴 Lørenskog, Norway

Orkerød Sykehjem; 🇳🇴 Moss, Norway

Ryggeheimen; 🇳🇴 Moss, Norway

Løreskog sykhjem, avd Krydderhagen; 🇳🇴 Lørenskog, Norway

Greverud Sykehjem; 🇳🇴 Oppegård, Norway

Gipø Sykehjem; 🇳🇴 Nøtterøy, Norway

Høyås Sykehjem; 🇳🇴 Oppegård, Norway

Kamfjordhjemmet; 🇳🇴 Sandefjord, Norway

Sandetun Sykehjem; 🇳🇴 Sande, Norway

Sørvald bo- og behandlingssenter; 🇳🇴 Sørum, Norway

Tjøme Sykehjem; 🇳🇴 Tjøme, Norway

Pålsetunet bo- og servicesenter; 🇳🇴 Fet, Norway