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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06414876

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

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).

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Key information

Conditions

Animal Assisted Therapy

Age range

3 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Hospitalized children

Exclusion criteria

  • Multiresistent bacteria
  • Immunosuppressed
  • Large burns

Treatment and study plan

Hospital dog

Behavioral

The hospital dog always has a well educated dog instructor beside.

Other names: The children played with the hospital dog in about 40 minutes.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in oxytocin levels

    Time frame: Day of enrollment

    Concentration of oxytocin (pg/mg) in urine samples measured by ELISA.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Uppsala University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
May 16, 2024
Registry last updated
May 16, 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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