Assessing Mechanisms of Anxiety Reduction in Animal-assisted Interventions
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Anxiety, Healthy Studies, Healthy Studies, Psychiatric |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 13 - 17 |
| Updated: | 11/24/2018 |
| Start Date: | October 1, 2017 |
| End Date: | October 30, 2019 |
| Contact: | Megan K Mueller, PhD |
| Email: | megan.mueller@tufts.edu |
| Phone: | 508-887-4543 |
Assessing Mechanisms of Anxiety Reduction in Animal-assisted Interventions for Adolescents With Social aAnxiety
Adolescence and young adulthood is a critical period for the development of social anxiety,
which is often linked to other mental health challenges such as depression, mood disorders,
and substance abuse. Initial evidence suggests that interacting with animals can reduce
stress and anxiety, but no research has tested whether this benefit extends to adolescents at
risk for social anxiety disorder. Additionally, researchers and clinicians do not understand
what mechanism is responsible for anxiety reduction in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs).
Therefore, the objectives of this study are to explore the specific mechanisms by which
interacting with a therapy dog reduces anxiety, and to test whether such an interaction
reduces anxiety in adolescents with varying levels of social anxiety.
which is often linked to other mental health challenges such as depression, mood disorders,
and substance abuse. Initial evidence suggests that interacting with animals can reduce
stress and anxiety, but no research has tested whether this benefit extends to adolescents at
risk for social anxiety disorder. Additionally, researchers and clinicians do not understand
what mechanism is responsible for anxiety reduction in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs).
Therefore, the objectives of this study are to explore the specific mechanisms by which
interacting with a therapy dog reduces anxiety, and to test whether such an interaction
reduces anxiety in adolescents with varying levels of social anxiety.
The specific aims of this project are to (1) test the mechanisms by which AAIs reduce
anxiety, and (2) determine if the anxiolytic effect of social and physical interaction is
moderated by level of pre-existing social anxiety. To achieve these aims, 75 adolescents (age
13-17) will undergo a well-validated laboratory-based social evaluative stressor, the Trier
Social Stress Task for Children, and be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) no
interaction with a dog (control condition), 2) social interaction only (no physical
interaction) with a therapy dog; or 3) social interaction plus physical interaction with a
therapy dog. Using a multivariate approach, three levels of outcome data will be collected:
a) self-reported experience (anxiety), b) autonomic physiology (heart rate), and c)
behavioral performance (error rates on mental math task). In addition, the interactions will
be videotaped and behavioral coding will be used to explore the specific social behaviors
between the participant and the dog that may predict anxiety reduction (such as frequency or
type of social referencing or physical contact).
anxiety, and (2) determine if the anxiolytic effect of social and physical interaction is
moderated by level of pre-existing social anxiety. To achieve these aims, 75 adolescents (age
13-17) will undergo a well-validated laboratory-based social evaluative stressor, the Trier
Social Stress Task for Children, and be randomly assigned to one of three conditions: 1) no
interaction with a dog (control condition), 2) social interaction only (no physical
interaction) with a therapy dog; or 3) social interaction plus physical interaction with a
therapy dog. Using a multivariate approach, three levels of outcome data will be collected:
a) self-reported experience (anxiety), b) autonomic physiology (heart rate), and c)
behavioral performance (error rates on mental math task). In addition, the interactions will
be videotaped and behavioral coding will be used to explore the specific social behaviors
between the participant and the dog that may predict anxiety reduction (such as frequency or
type of social referencing or physical contact).
Inclusion Criteria:
- Low, mid-range, and high levels of social anxiety
Exclusion Criteria:
- Fear of dogs
- Allergy to dogs
We found this trial at
1
site
200 Westboro Road
North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536
North Grafton, Massachusetts 01536
Phone: 508-887-4543
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