Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Conditions
Brief summary
The objective of the present study was to assess the efficacy of a shorter version program of Dog Assisted Therapy (DAT) (8 sessions) compared to a longer version (16 sessions) for children and adolescents with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD). We evaluated the impact of DAT on social skills, internalizing and externalizing problems, quality of life, severity of the disorder and emotional well-being of parents. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a cohort of 55 patients with FASD.
Detailed description
FASD can be classified into three subtypes. FAS is identified by (1) facial abnormalities, (2) growth deficits, abnormal brain development, or irregularities in neurophysiology, and (3) neurobehavioral issues. Partial Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) shares similarities but presents with fewer physical characteristics, while Alcohol-Related Neurobehavioral Disorder (ARND) solely exhibits neurobehavioral symptoms without facial anomalies. Previous research has highlighted the effectiveness of psychological intervention programs focused on emotional regulation for individuals with FASD. Similarly, studies have emphasized the benefits of interventions targeting social skills. These interventions have been shown to result in reductions in externalizing behaviors, with social skills training specifically correlating with improvements in social competence and a decrease in problematic behaviors Recently a new form of behavioral therapy has been gaining popularity in improving the physical and mental health of young adults, known as Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). Animal Assisted Therapy lays its foundation in human attachment theory and social cognitive theory where it is argued that animals can be potentially viewed as a transitional attachment object and thus aid to improve psychosocial functioning.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDog assisted therapy - animal interventions
Animal Assisted Therapy is when animals are used in goal directed treatment sessions. These goals are working emotionalaspects pf childres and adolescents with SAF
Sponsors
Fundacion Probitas
Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
all participants needed to have stable doses of medication for at least two months before the study and agree not to seek out any other psychiatric or psychological treatment during the study. \-
Exclusion criteria
Patients who were not behaviorally stable, presented agressive behavior or required more intensive treatment (hospitalization or day hospital) were excluded. \-
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children | Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16 | Intellectual Quotient |
| Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL by Achenbach) | Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16 | Internalizing/ Externalizing Symptoms maximum scores for symptom severity 113 |
| Social Skills Improvement System-Parent Form (SSIS-P) | Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16 | Social skills assessment - 0 to 60 max scotring |
| KidScreen 27- 0 maximum 135 - highest severity symptoms at 135 | Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16 | Quality of life assesment |
| Clinical Global Impression Scale for Severity.0 to 7 (7 most severely ill). | Once- Pre intervention week 1 - Post intervention in week 16 | Severity of FASD symptoms |
Countries
Spain
Outcome results
None listed