Oxytocin Pathways and the Health Effects of Human-Animal Interaction

University of Arizona

Status: Completed

Conditions: Human-Animal Bond; Human-Animal Interaction

Treatments: Behavioral: Nonsocial control; Behavioral: Unfamiliar dog; Behavioral: Pet dog

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03852264

1808883345

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study investigates the roles of oxytocin pathways in human-animal interaction.

Full description

This study investigates the roles of oxytocin pathways in human-animal interaction. Children will participate in three conditions involving friendly interactions with dogs, or play with toys at a university laboratory. Child and dog saliva and urine will be assayed for oxytocin concentrations. We will assess variation in oxytocin concentrations in relation to different experimental conditions, and in relation to specific behaviors and psychological constructs.

Enrollment: 55 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 10 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Participants in this study will include typically-developing children between 8-10 years who have lived with a companion dog in the household for at least 6 months.

Exclusion criteria

• known medical diseases or injuries involving the central nervous or endocrine systems, major physical abnormalities, seizures, and significant sensory, cognitive, or motor impairments, current use of psychoactive medications

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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55 participants in 2 patient groups

Pet Dog Interaction first, then Nonsocial Control, then Unfamiliar Dog Interaction

Experimental group

Description:

Participant's first study visit involved 25 minutes of interaction with the participant's pet dog. The second study visit involved 25 minutes of individual play with toys. The third study visit involved 25 minutes of interaction with an unfamiliar dog.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Pet dog

Behavioral: Unfamiliar dog

Behavioral: Nonsocial control

Unfamiliar Dog Interaction first, then Nonsocial Control, then Pet Dog Interaction

Experimental group

Description:

Participant's first study visit involved 25 minutes of interaction with an unfamiliar dog. The second study visit involved 25 minutes of individual play with toys. The third study visit involved 25 minutes of interaction with the participant's pet dog.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Pet dog

Behavioral: Unfamiliar dog

Behavioral: Nonsocial control