Using Dogs to Promote Therapeutic Engagement During Inpatient Rehabilitation Following Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury: Understanding Mechanisms and Moderators of Treatment Response.

Summary

Children requiring inpatient rehabilitation treatment following acquired brain injury (ABI) are at risk for poor engagement in rehabilitative therapies. A within subject crossover design will be used to determine whether involving dogs in physical and occupational therapies while receiving inpatient rehabilitation improves patient engagement, how involving dogs improves engagement, and identify who is most likely to benefit. This project addresses the critical need to establish an evidence base for animal-assisted therapies in pediatric rehabilitation, incorporates innovative methods, and has the potential to lead to improved clinical care for children and adolescents receiving intensive rehabilitation following ABI.

Eligibility

Age range

4–24 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Other
  Animal Assisted Therapy

  Patients enrolled in the study will be randomly scheduled to have a dog be a part of their PT and OT sessions on two days (one in the first week and one in the second week) during their stay. On these days, the therapist will lead the therapy session and integrate the dog at whatever level is appropriate based on the patient's level of functioning and therapy goals.

• Other
  Control

  treatment as usual as dictated by their treatment team

Location