Study to evaluate the effects of a therapy dog being present on a gerontopsychiatric ward on the agitation of patients with dementia

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00024093

Enrollment

Registered

2021-01-18

Start date

2018-10-14

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-04-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

F00.2 F00.1

Interventions

Group 1: Several contacts with the therapy dog and the doctor over the day (accumilated 20 min) Group 2: Several contacts with the doctor (without the therapy dog) over the day (accumilated 20 min)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

65 Years to No maximum

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Diagnosis of Alzheimer disease and mixed type dementia, agitation symptoms described by care taker or patient, MMST < 21 points, legal guardian and patient agree to the participation

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: other form of dementia, acute delirium, dog hair allergy, dog phobia

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Reduction of Agitation measured with the Overt Agitation Severity Scale Serum BDNF Heart Rate Variability	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Reduction of sedative medication, Reduction of coercive measures	—

Countries

Germany

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 16, 2026