The Presence of a Therapy Dog Reduces Pain and Anxiety During Pediatric Elbow Pin Removal

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Elbow Injury

Treatments: Behavioral: Dog is Present; Behavioral: No Dog Present

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05830201

IRB-300010224

UAB (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this research study is to assess whether the presence of therapy dogs can reduce pain and anxiety in children ages 3 to 10 having pins removed from their elbow.

Full description

This procedure is done in an outpatient clinic 3-4 weeks after the pins are placed and can be uncomfortable and cause anxiety in some patients. Therapy dogs are trained to sit calmly with a patient on or near the exam table as a distraction from procedures.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 3 to 10 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• presenting to clinic for elbow pin removal post elbow fracture surgery

Exclusion criteria

• dog allergy
• fear of dogs

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

50 participants in 2 patient groups

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Dog will not be in room when child has elbow pins removed

Treatment:

Behavioral: No Dog Present

Therapy Dog Group

Experimental group

Description:

The dog will come in a few minutes before to meet with you and your child and ensure ease. The therapy dog will be present throughout the procedure and is able to sit on the exam table if desired.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Dog is Present