A Pilot Study on Animal-Assisted Intervention in Correctional Settings
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorThe University of Hong Kong
About this trial
Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress are particularly prevalent among incarcerated individuals and are considered risk factors for recidivism. Leveraging the natural human-animal bond, animal-assisted intervention (AAI) offers a less threatening alternative to engage incarcerated individuals and address their mental health needs. As an initial effort to help promote rehabilitative security in Hong Kong, the current study examines the acceptability and effectiveness of a brief animal-assisted program among offenders in local secured facilities.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
persons-in-custody
aged 18 or older
understand Cantonese
Disqualifiers
an allergy, a fear, or a dislike toward dogs
a history of aggression toward animals
a criminal history involving animals
a history of neurodevelopmental disorders
Trial design
Design model
Single group
Treatments tested in this trial
Animal-Assisted Intervention
BehavioralA brief animal-assisted intervention is offered on a group basis across four sessions. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and covers the same themes but through different exercises. These themes include effective communication, behavioral principles, problem-solving, and teamwork. The first part of a session involves learning to give effective single-component commands to a rehabilitative dog under the guidance of a professional dog handler. The second part of a session involves the applications of two or more of these single-component commands to an interactive group activity. Project staff are present at each session to facilitate discussions among participants on any challenges encountered, learning, and intra- as well as inter-personal experiences during the session.
Treatment groups
156 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: TreatmentExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in common psychopathology as measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS21; Lovibond \& Lovibond, 1995) is a self-report measure of common mental health concerns. The three subscales are each measured with seven items, using a 4-point Likert scale from 0 = Did not apply to me at all to 3 = Applied to me very much or most of the time. Scores are summed for each subscale, with higher scores indicating more severe levels of emotional symptoms.
Time frame
At the beginning of each sessions, approximately one week after completion of the treatment, and one month after the treatment2
Change in emotional state as measured with the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form
International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF; Thompson, 2007) is an adapted version of the PANAS-SF (Watson et al., 1988) and designed specifically for non-English speaking individuals. Using a 5-point Likert scale from 1 = Never to 5 = Always, individuals rate on their experience of five positive affect and five negative affect in the present moment. Scores are summed for each subscale, with higher scores indicating higher levels of positive or negative affect.
Time frame
At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions3
Change in heart rate variability
Heart rate data are collected via photoplethysmogram signals and then transformed into heart rate variability with artifacts corrected through automated detection using the Kubios HRV Scientific software (Kubios, 2024).
Time frame
At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions4
Change in skin conductance
Both phasic and tonic skin conductance data are captured with a galvanic skin response sensor
Time frame
At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessionsSecondary outcomes
1
Change in disciplinary offences and privileges during incarceration
To track PIC's conduct and interpersonal behaviors during incarceration, official correctional records on disciplinary offences and privileges received in the week prior to each AAI session, including counts and associated behaviors, are collected.
Time frame
At each session, up to a total of four sessions, and within a week after the treatment2
Change in trauma-related psychopathology as measured with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5
The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, based on its diagnostic criteria in DSM-5 (Blevins et al., 2015). Each of the 20 items is rated on a 5-point Likert scale of 0 = Not at all to 4 = Extremely.
Time frame
Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment3
Change in empathy as measured with the Brief Interpersonal Reactivity Index
Brief Interpersonal Reactivity Index (B-IRI) measures empathy by four subscales, namely Perspective Taking, Empathic Concern, Fantasy, and Personal Distress. Each subscale is measured by four items, using a 5-point Likert scale from 1 = Does not describe me at all to 5 = Describes me very well and with higher sum scores indicating higher levels in the corresponding aspect of empathy.
Time frame
Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment4
Change in self-efficacy as measured with the New General Self-Efficacy Scale
New General Self-Efficacy Scale (NGSES) is designed to measure self-efficacy across contexts. Using a 5-point Likert scale from 1 = Strongly disagree to 5 = Strongly agree, individuals rate on a total of eight items about their self-perceived ability to perform across different contexts. Scores are summed across all items, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy.
Time frame
Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatmentSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
The University of Hong Kong
Lead sponsor
Hong Kong Correctional Services Department
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov