Between Paws and Affections - Impact of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Fibromyalgia Patients (NCT07356206) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Between Paws and Affections - Impact of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Fibromyalgia Patients
Portugal60 participantsStarted 2026-01-22
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and medium-term maintenance of a structured dog-assisted therapy (DAT) protocol, "Entre Patas e Afetos" (Between Paws and Affections), in reducing pain, anxiety and depressive symptoms and in improving functional status and quality of life in Portuguese patients with fibromyalgia (FM) followed at ULS Alto Ave, with systematic outcome assessment in the immediate post intervention phase (T2), 6-month follow-up (T3) and 12-month follow-up (T4).
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:
* Age 18 years or older
* Confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia
* Being followed at ULS Alto Ave by the Multidisciplinary Pain Unit, Internal Medicine (Auto immune diseases), Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine or Neurology
* Ability to read and write Portuguese and to understand the study procedures
* Willingness and ability to participate voluntarily in the 10 session program and all scheduled assessments (T1-T4)
* Provision of written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Allergy to dogs or marked fear of dogs
* History of aggression towards animals
* History of oncological disease
* Concomitant systemic or rheumatologic disease that may confound pain and functional assessment
* Decompensated psychiatric disorder or severe cognitive impairment that may compromise comprehension of the protocol or adherence to the intervention
* Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent at any point
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
1
Pain intensity (maximum and average) and pain interference
Timeframe: 13 months - From 1 month after enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 months after the first month
2
Fibromyalgia impact and functional status
Timeframe: 13 months - From 1 month after enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 months after the first month