Title: Urinary Oxytocin Levels in Children Receiving Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy Clinical Trial

Official title:

Title: Urinary Oxytocin Levels in Children Receiving Animal-Assisted Therapy

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06414876
• Other study ID #: UOLinCRAAT_Uppsala University
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: February 2, 2016
• Est. completion date: May 24, 2017

Study information

• Verified date: May 2024
• Source: Uppsala University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

There has been growing interest in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in recent decades due to increasing reports indicating its health benefits for adult patients. These benefits are partly attributed to changes, usually increased levels of the neuropeptide oxytocin.

Aim: To investigate changes in oxytocin levels in hospitalized children during animal-assisted therapy sessions with a certified hospital dog.

Method: Urine samples were collected from 35 hospitalized children (3-17 years) before and after each participant had a session with the hospital dog. Oxytocin levels were analysed with an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Creatinine levels were measured to determine the subject's fluid intake and then divided by the hormonal concentration (uOT pg/mg).

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 50
• Est. completion date: May 24, 2017
• Est. primary completion date: May 24, 2017
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 3 Years to 17 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hospitalized children

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multiresistent bacteria

• Immunosuppressed

• Large burns

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Animal Assisted Therapy

Intervention

Behavioral:
• Hospital dog
The hospital dog always has a well educated dog instructor beside.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Uppsala University

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Change in oxytocin levels	Concentration of oxytocin (pg/mg) in urine samples measured by ELISA.	Day of enrollment