Feasibility of a Dog Training Therapy Program in UC Outpatient Youth Receiving Psychiatric Services
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age8-17
SponsorUniversity of Chicago
About this trial
The goal of this pilot project is to test for initial efficacy of the Recovery \& Care Canine-Assisted Therapy program that has been developed and implemented in Lawrence Hall, a Chicago-based residential treatment center for maltreated youth. In this study, the investigators test the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term efficacy of expanding the program to a group of youth currently in outpatient treatment for social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Results from this project will provide preliminary evidence of whether a structured, goal-oriented intervention program focused on dog training activities has direct impact on increasing youth emotional self-regulation, impulse control, and self-efficacy, which are important targets for intervention among youth with mental health problems. If successful, this project could lead to a larger, randomized control clinical trials study that tests the longitudinal impact of the program that could further lead to national dissemination of the Recovery \& Care curriculum as an alternative therapeutic approach.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Currently receiving outpatient mental health services at the University of Chicago or have received outpatient mental health services from the community in the last 12 months.
Available for scheduling during the entire 6-week intervention program
Interest in participating in the program
Disqualifiers
Severe cognitive, psychiatric, or physical condition or limitation that would prevent participation.
Severe animal allergy
Animal phobia
History of mistreatment of animals.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Recovery & Care Canine-Assisted Therapy
BehavioralActive intervention. An 6-week session of structured, goal-oriented activities where youth focus on mastering dog obedience and dog training skills. Each session is 1 hour and 15 minutes in length and includes education, review of prior sessions, and specific skill-building activities. Skill-building activities progress in complexity during the course of the 6-week curriculum.
Canine Education & Bonding
Other interventionActive control intervention. An 6-week session of semi-structured activities. Sessions are 45 minutes in length. Youth in this condition engage in an educational component, passive observation of dog-training skills, and an active free-play session with the dog-handler teams.
Treatment groups
48 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: ExperimentalExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Active controlOther 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Emotional Stroop
Computer-Assisted task assessing affect regulation
Time frame
Up to 1-month post-intervention2
Change in Emotional Stroop
Computer-Assisted task assessing affect regulation
Time frame
Change from baseline to up to 1-month post-intervention3
Flanker Task
Computer-Assisted task assessing attention \& inhibitory control
Time frame
Up to 1-month post-intervention4
Change in Flanker Task
Computer-Assisted task assessing attention \& inhibitory control
Time frame
Change from baseline to up to 1-month post-interventionSecondary outcomes
1
Pearson Social Skills Rating Scales -Positive social behaviors
Self-report subscale assessing cooperation, empathy, assertion, self-control, and responsibility. Higher scores are better outcomes.
Time frame
Up to 1-month post-intervention2
Change in Pearson Social Skills Rating Scales -Positive social behaviors
Self-report subscale assessing cooperation, empathy, assertion, self-control, and responsibility. Higher scores are better outcomes.
Time frame
Change from baseline to up to 1-month post-intervention3
Pearson Social Skills Rating Scales -Externalizing behaviors
Self-report subscale assessing aggressive acts and poor temper control. Higher scores are worse outcomes
Time frame
Up to 1-month post-intervention4
Change in Pearson Social Skills Rating Scales -Externalizing behaviors
Self-report subscale assessing aggressive acts and poor temper control. Higher scores are worse outcomes
Time frame
Change from baseline to up to 1-month post-interventionSponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
University of Chicago
Lead sponsor
Canine-Therapy Corp
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov