RecruitingNot Applicable

Therapy Dog Visits for Patients Hospitalized With Traumatic Injuries

United States80 participantsStarted 2025-06-04

Plain-language summary

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) with dogs has been shown to be beneficial for a wide range of patients with both acute and chronic illnesses, including spinal cord injuries, heart failure, myocardial infarctions, strokes, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Studies have also demonstrated that even in healthy adults, the presence of dogs is associated with physiologic changes such as increased pain threshold, decreased blood pressure, and decreased heart rate. However, few studies have investigated the role of AAT in the post-operative course in adults. This study will investigate the impact of therapy dog visits on pain and anxiety scores for trauma patients at Boston Medical Center (BMC).

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patients admitted to the Trauma and Acute Care Surgery (TACS) service following a trauma * English or Spanish speaking * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Fear of dogs, allergy to dogs * Immunocompromised * Contact precautions * Delirious, intubated, or otherwise unable to consent

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Participants' pain assessed with a numeric analog score

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Participants' pain assessed with pictures of facial expressions

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Depression assessed by the Brief Mood Survey

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Anxiety assessed by the Brief Mood Survey

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Anger assessed by the Brief Mood Survey

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06812247

SponsorBoston Medical Center

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12

Contact for this trial

Sabrina Sanchez, MD MPH

617 414 4861 sabrina.sanchez@bmc.org

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Trauma Injury trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Participants' pain assessed with a numeric analog score

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Participants' pain assessed with pictures of facial expressions

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Depression assessed by the Brief Mood Survey

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Anxiety assessed by the Brief Mood Survey

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit

Anger assessed by the Brief Mood Survey

Timeframe: 24 hours after the last study visit