Controlled clinical trial of canine therapy versus usual care to reduce patient anxiety in the emergency department.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Test if therapy dogs reduce anxiety in emergency department (ED) patients.

Methods

In this controlled clinical trial (NCT03471429), medically stable, adult patients were approached if the physician believed that the patient had "moderate or greater anxiety." Patients were allocated on a 1:1 ratio to either 15 min exposure to a certified therapy dog and handler (dog), or usual care (control). Patient reported anxiety, pain and depression were assessed using a 0-10 scale (10 = worst). Primary outcome was change in anxiety from baseline (T0) to 30 min and 90 min after exposure to dog or control (T1 and T2 respectively); secondary outcomes were pain, depression and frequency of pain medication.

Results

Among 93 patients willing to participate in research, 7 had

SUBMITTER: Kline JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6326463 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature