Behavioural and Physiological Responses to Dog Visits in Nursing Homes
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
In brief the study aims to investigate how nursing home residents receiving dog visits respond to contact with the dog, by comparing visits with and without a dog present. The investigators will measure the response with non-invasive measures of the immediate physiological response, and objective behavioural measurements to quantity the activity and the actual amount and intensity of contact to the dog.
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
|
N/A |
Detailed Description
The residents will receive six 10-minute visits, three visits with a dog and three without a dog, with a week-long break in between the two visit types. The participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the three dog visits or the three visits without a dog first. The visits will be from the same person, and the dog visits will be accompanied with the same dog each time. During dog visits, the dog will be available for touch, and the resident will be encouraged to interact with the dog.
Before each visit the resident is fitted with the equipment for measuring continuously recorded physiological measures and then relaxes for 30 minutes. Immediately before and five and 30 minutes after each visit, the investigators obtain a saliva sample to detect cortisol levels.
The behaviour of the participants will be video recorded during the visits to quantify the frequency and duration of predefined behavioural elements, using ethological methodology. The investigators will quantify the participants' activity during the visits as well as the frequency and duration of tactile contact with the dog, and verbal communication with the dog and the visitor.
In addition, the visitor and the observer present during the visit will subjectively assess the resident's perception of the visit.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Other: Dog visits first Participants receive the three dogs visits first and then, after a break, receive the three control visits |
Behavioral: Dog visits/control visits
See arm description above
|
| Other: Control visits first Participants receive the three control visits first and then, after a break, receive the three dog visits |
Behavioral: Control visits/dog visits
See arm description above
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Heart rate [During visit no. 1, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
- Heart rate [During visit no. 2, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
- Heart rate [During visit no. 3, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
- Heart rate [During visit no. 4, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
- Heart rate [During visit no. 5, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
- Heart rate [During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test person wears a device placed on the upper arm
- Heart rate variability [During visit no. 1, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
- Heart rate variability [During visit no. 2, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
- Heart rate variability [During visit no. 3, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
- Heart rate variability [During visit no. 4, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
- Heart rate variability [During visit no. 5, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
- Heart rate variability [During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
Heart rate variability is calculated from heart rate data
- Behaviour during visits [During visit no. 1, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test persons behaviour is observed
- Behaviour during visits [During visit no. 2, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test persons behaviour is observed
- Behaviour during visits [During visit no. 3, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test persons behaviour is observed
- Behaviour during visits [During visit no. 4, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test persons behaviour is observed
- Behaviour during visits [During visit no. 5, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test persons behaviour is observed
- Behaviour during visits [During visit no. 6, from 30 minutes before the visit to 30 minutes after]
The test persons behaviour is observed
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 1, 2 minutes before visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 2, 2 minutes before visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 3, 2 minutes before visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 4, 2 minutes before visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 5, 2 minutes before visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 6, 2 minutes before visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 1, 5 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 2, 5 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 3, 5 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 4, 5 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 5, 5 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 6, 5 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 1, 30 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 2, 30 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 3, 30 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 4, 30 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 5, 30 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
- Salivary cortisol [Visit 6, 30 minutes after visit]
Saliva is obtained from the testperson with a swab which held his/her mouth for one minute
Secondary Outcome Measures
- The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person. [5 minutes after visit 1]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
- The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person. [5 minutes after visit 2]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
- The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person. [5 minutes after visit 3]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
- The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person. [5 minutes after visit 4]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
- The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person. [5 minutes after visit 5]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
- The visitor's and observer's perception of how the visit was experienced by the test person. [5 minutes after visit 6]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible visit) to 100 (best possible visit)
- Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit [5 minutes after visit 1]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
- Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit [5 minutes after visit 2]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
- Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit [5 minutes after visit 3]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
- Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit [5 minutes after visit 4]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
- Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit [5 minutes after visit 5]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
- Visual analoque scale of the testpersons' evaluation of the visit [5 minutes after visit 6]
Minimum value 0 (worst possible experience) to 100 (best possible experience)
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Age of 65 years or more
-
Able to sit during visits (either in a chair or in a bed)
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Known allergy to dogs
-
Known fear of dogs
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karen Thodberg | Højslev | Denmark | 7840 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Aarhus
Investigators
None specified.Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- ANIMAL CONTACT 4