Using Therapy Dogs to Improve Engagement in Rehabilitation for Children and Young Adults After Brain Injury

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying children and adolescents aged 4 to 21 who are undergoing inpatient rehabilitation after an acquired brain injury ABI, such as traumatic brain injury, brain tumor, or infection. The study aims to find out whether involving dogs in physical and occupational therapy sessions improves patient engagement during rehabilitation. The project also seeks to understand how dog involvement affects engagement and to identify which patients might benefit the most from this approach. Participants will be randomly assigned to have dog-assisted therapy incorporated into their physical and occupational therapy sessions on two days during their stayonce in the first week and once in the second week. The dog will be integrated into therapy based on each patients functioning level and therapy goals. The other group will receive usual treatment as determined by their care team without dog involvement. This crossover design allows comparison between therapy with and without dogs. During the approximately two-week study period, researchers will closely observe and rate patient participation and engagement in therapy sessions. They will also assess mood through patient reports, objective and automated measures, physiological distress, and salivary oxytocin levels. These measures will help understand the effects of dog-assisted therapy. The study involves informed consent from families and assent from participants, with careful monitoring throughout the rehabilitation stay.

Animal Assisted Therapy After Pediatric Brain Injury: Mediators and Moderators of Treatment Response.