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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03852264

Oxytocin Pathways and the Health Effects of Human-Animal Interaction

This study investigates the roles of oxytocin pathways in human-animal interaction.

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Key information

Conditions

Human-Animal Bond Behavior Human-Animal Interaction

Age range

8 year–10 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States

About this study

This study investigates the roles of oxytocin pathways in human-animal interaction. Children will participate in three conditions involving friendly interactions with dogs, or play with toys at a university laboratory. Child and dog saliva and urine will be assayed for oxytocin concentrations. We will assess variation in oxytocin concentrations in relation to different experimental conditions, and in relation to specific behaviors and psychological constructs.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants in this study will include typically-developing children between 8-10 years who have lived with a companion dog in the household for at least 6 months.

Exclusion criteria

  • known medical diseases or injuries involving the central nervous or endocrine systems, major physical abnormalities, seizures, and significant sensory, cognitive, or motor impairments, current use of psychoactive medications

Treatment and study plan

Pet dog

Behavioral

Children will interact freely with their pet dog for 25 minutes.

Unfamiliar dog

Behavioral

Children will interact freely with an unfamiliar dog for 25 minutes

Nonsocial control

Behavioral

Children will play with age-appropriate toys/games for 25 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. Salivary Oxytocin, Area Under the Curve

    Time frame: baseline, 15 minutes

    Change from baseline measured as the area under the curve with respect to the initial value (AUCi).

  2. Urinary Oxytocin, Area Under the Curve

    Time frame: baseline, 50 minutes

    Change from baseline measured as the area under the curve with respect to the initial value (AUCi).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Salivary Cortisol, Area Under the Curve

    Time frame: baseline, 50 minutes

    Change from baseline measured as the area under the curve with respect to the initial value (AUCi).

  2. Urinary Vasopressin, Area Under the Curve

    Time frame: baseline, 50 minutes

    Change from baseline measured as the area under the curve with respect to the initial value (AUCi).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Arizona

Other

Collaborators

  • University of Virginia

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Feb 25, 2019
Registry last updated
Nov 12, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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