Status:

COMPLETED

Wildlife and Wellbeing: An Animal-Assisted Intervention for Veterans With PTSD

Lead Sponsor:

University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Collaborating Sponsors:

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Conditions:

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Eligibility:

All Genders

18-70 years

Phase:

NA

Brief Summary

This study investigates a novel approach to animal-assisted interventions through a series of wildlife immersion activities (wildlife observation, wildlife rehabilitation and bird feeding/watching) fo...

Detailed Description

This study utilized a single group/ modified crossover design. The intervention included an introductory forest walk followed by 3 wildlife immersion activity experiences in different settings that of...

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

  • Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms (per self report)
  • Fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which is defined by the CDC as:
  • 2 weeks after second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
  • 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson \& Johnson's Janssen vaccine
  • Age 18-70
  • Comfortable interacting with animals
  • Sufficient mobility to walk or navigate wheelchair up to one mile at leisurely pace
  • Cognitive ability to complete assessments
  • Service/ support animals are permitted as long as they meet the following criteria: the animal must be leashed, housebroken and with sufficient training that the owner has control over its barking and any other behaviors that would threaten the safety of other visitors or animals.
  • Participants with visual or hearing impairments must have corrected vision and hearing through glasses and/ or hearing aid(s).
  • No active addiction or intoxication as determined by 30 days or more free from drugs or alcohol abuse
  • Willing to refrain from alcohol and illicit substances before and during activities
  • No severe immunosuppression or other conditions with advisement by health care provider to limit or prevent contact with animals and birds
  • No severe outdoor allergy.
  • Not currently enrolled in the Veteran's Treatment Court program

Exclusion

  • Veterans without PTSD/PTSD symptoms (per self report
  • Not fully vaccinated against Covid-19
  • Age \<18 or \>70
  • Not comfortable interacting with animals
  • Not sufficiently mobile to walk or navigate wheelchair up to one mile at leisurely pace
  • Cognitively unable to complete assessments
  • Service/ support animals that do not meet the following criteria: leashed, housebroken and with sufficient training that the owner has control over its barking and any other behaviors that would threaten the safety of other visitors or animals.
  • Participants with visual or hearing impairments who do not have corrected vision and hearing through glasses and/ or hearing aid(s).
  • Active addiction or intoxication as determined by \< 30 days free from drugs or alcohol abuse
  • Not willing to refrain from alcohol and illicit substances before and during activities
  • Severe immunosuppression or other conditions with advisement by health care provider to limit or prevent contact with animals and birds
  • Severe outdoor allergy
  • Currently enrolled in the Veteran's Treatment Court program

Key Trial Info

Start Date :

July 5 2019

Trial Type :

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation :

ACTUAL

End Date :

December 31 2022

Estimated Enrollment :

19 Patients enrolled

Trial Details

Trial ID

NCT04116489

Start Date

July 5 2019

End Date

December 31 2022

Last Update

October 16 2024

Active Locations (1)

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Page 1 of 1 (1 locations)

1

University of Massachusetts Medical School

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, 01655