A Pilot Study on Animal-Assisted Intervention in Correctional Settings

The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Animal-assisted Intervention; Psychological Wellbeing

Treatments: Behavioral: Animal-Assisted Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06968351

EA240679

Details and patient eligibility

About

Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress are particularly prevalent among incarcerated individuals and are considered risk factors for recidivism. Leveraging the natural human-animal bond, animal-assisted intervention (AAI) offers a less threatening alternative to engage incarcerated individuals and address their mental health needs. As an initial effort to help promote rehabilitative security in Hong Kong, the current study examines the acceptability and effectiveness of a brief animal-assisted program among offenders in local secured facilities.

Enrollment: 156 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• persons-in-custody
• aged 18 or older
• understand Cantonese

Exclusion criteria

• an allergy, a fear, or a dislike toward dogs
• a history of aggression toward animals
• a criminal history involving animals
• a history of neurodevelopmental disorders
• active psychosis or mania
• active suicidality

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

156 participants in 1 patient group

Treatment

Experimental group

Description:

Participants are assigned to a brief animal-assisted intervention that is offered on a group basis across four sessions. Each of the four sessions lasts approximately 60 minutes. In addition to questionnaire data prior to and after the treatment, participants will provide physiological and questionnaire data at both the beginning and the end of each session.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Animal-Assisted Intervention