Anxiety, Children, Opioid Use, Therapy Dog
Conditions
Brief summary
Compare the effect of a single exposure to a therapy dog and handler within the pediatric emergency department patient with anxiety by measuring the change in patient perception of anxiety before and after dog exposure using the FACES scale. We will also measure galvanic skin response (resistance to electrical current).
Detailed description
This study challenges current dogma by introducing a widely available, low cost method of dog therapy to reduce patient stress. The organization Paws of Love estimates that it has 180,000 volunteers who have qualified therapy dogs and who are generally willing to volunteer their time in emergency care. The benefits may include improved perception of wellness, less opioid use, and decreased use of physical and chemical restraints. As a further extrapolation, this secondary effect may extend to improved patient-doctor communication and patient experience. This will in turn improve patient safety in the Emergency Department, decreasing the number of adverse events, and decreasing the risk of medical malpractice by improving the patient-provider relationship. (6, 7)
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDog + handler
Dog + handler
BEHAVIORALNo dog
No dog
Sponsors
Indiana University
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Subjects will be randomized per dog and handler availability, but subjects that are excluded due to an aversion or dogs or per the Child Life staff member, can be in the control group.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
4 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 4-17 years old; * Physician or nurse with primary care responsibilities believes that the patients has a moderate to high level of anxiety
Exclusion criteria
\- violent behavior and any reported prior fear or adverse reaction to dogs in the dog intervention group.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in anxiety level of subject | 45 minutes | Change in anxiety level of subject with the use of the FACES scale |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Perception of pain level from parent(s) | 60 minutes | Change in perception of pain level of subject by the parent(s) with the use of a Wong-Baker Faces pain scale |
| Meds | 4 hours | Number of medications used to reduce anxiety in the different arms |
| Physical restrain use | 4 hours | Number of times physical restraints are used |
| Perception of pain level from physician | 60 minutes | Change in perception of pain level of subject with the use of a Wong-Baker Faces pain scale |
| Perception of anxiety level from parent(s) | 60 minutes | Change in perception of anxiety level of subject by their parent(s) with the use of the FACES scale |
| Perception of anxiety level from physician | 60 minutes | Change in perception anxiety level of subject with the use of the FACES scale |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed