Elbow Injury
Conditions
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALNo Dog Present
Dog is not present during pin removal
BEHAVIORALDog is Present
Dog is present during pin removal
Sponsors
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
control group or therapy group
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
3 Years to 10 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* presenting to clinic for elbow pin removal post elbow fracture surgery
Exclusion criteria
* dog allergy * fear of dogs
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 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
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Anxiety Response | 1 year | anxiety response will be assessed with the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) Scale, This scale ranges from: 0 = Relaxed and comfortable ; 1-3 = Mild discomfort ; 4-6 = Moderate pain ; 7-10 = Severe discomfort/pain |
Countries
United States
Contacts
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMichael Conklin, MD
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Outcome results
None listed