Disabilities, Dog Therapy, Oral Hygiene, Oral Health
Conditions
Brief summary
Recent scientific studies have shown how interaction with an animal can alleviate particular conditions of stress and conflict, thus representing a solid support for minor patients with social behavior problems or with physical or mental disabilities. In this co-therapy, a fundamental role is played by the relationship that is established between the human being and the animal, a very particular relationship capable of bringing about positive changes, in both members, but especially in the man who, benefiting from this push for change, can improve his own situation, whatever it is, and follow with greater interest and involvement the actual therapy activities proposed by the team that is following him.
Interventions
OTHEROral hygiene with dog therapy
The DAT session is divided into two phases: a pre-sitting phase in which the patient could interact with the dog, touching, caressing and playing with him, under the supervision of the dog-trainer. This phase lasted about 15 minutes. The second phase was a during-sitting phase in which the dog was in the chair, next to the patient, during the entire oral hygiene procedure, under the supervision of the dog-trainer.
Sponsors
University of Turin, Italy
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
5 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patients had to be between 5 and 16 years old; * Patients with disability; * Non-collaborating or with limited collaboration (Frankl Scale 1 or 2); * Patients with a Plaque Control Record (PCR) of 40% or more; * Patients with partial autonomy in home oral hygiene procedures.
Exclusion criteria
* Patients with fear of dogs; * Patients with dog hair allergy; * Patients with infectious disease; * Tetraplegic and visually impaired subjects.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Plaque Control Record (PCR) | 1 month | PCR values the presence of dental plaque on the teeth |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Emotional record | 1 month | the patient's perception was recorded using a graphic card that represents the moods of the moment of oral hygiene session |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed