Animal-Assisted Therapy Combined With Standard Rehabilitation for Motor Recovery in Dementia Pati… (NCT07730983) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Animal-Assisted Therapy Combined With Standard Rehabilitation for Motor Recovery in Dementia Patients in a Medical and Rehabilitation Care Unit
France32 participantsStarted 2026-09
Plain-language summary
The goal of this randomized study is to find out if animal-assisted therapy (AAT) - a structured program where trained animals take part in care sessions guided by health professionals - can help improve movement abilities in older adults with dementia or memory-related conditions who are staying in a medical rehabilitation unit.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* Can adding animal-assisted therapy to standard rehabilitation improve participants' movement and motor abilities better than standard rehabilitation alone?
* Can this combined approach help participants stay more independent in daily activities?
* Can this combined approach improve participants' quality of life?
* Can this combined approach reduce the risk of falls?
Researchers will compare two groups:
* Group 1 (experimental): Standard rehabilitation + animal-assisted therapy sessions with a trained dog and/or rabbits
* Group 2 (control): Standard rehabilitation alone
Both groups attend 2 one-hour rehabilitation sessions per week for 4 weeks.
Participants will:
* Complete movement and daily-life ability tests at the start and end of the study
* Attend 8 rehabilitation sessions (over 4 weeks)
* Participants in the animal therapy group will interact with a trained dog and/or rabbits during sessions, guided by a certified nurse-animal therapist, a psychomotor therapist, and a nursing assistant
* Be assessed at the end of the 4-week program (Week 6) to measure any changes in motor abilities, independence, quality of life, and fall risk
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:
* Hospitalized in the geriatric medical and rehabilitation ward (SMR) of Institut Médical de Sologne (IMDS)
* Diagnosed dementia or confirmed cognitive decline, shown by a score between 15 and 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE - a short standardized test of memory and thinking)
* Has active motor rehabilitation goals (identified need to improve movement abilities during hospitalization)
* Participant and/or their legal guardian, trusted person (personne de confiance), curator, or family member has provided written consent to participate in the study
* Affiliated to a French social security scheme
Exclusion Criteria:
* Known allergy to the animals used in the animal-assisted therapy sessions (dog, rabbits)
* Fear of animals
* History of aggressive behavior toward animals
* Concomitant psychiatric disorders
* Needs only a stimulation and/or skills maintenance approach (no active motor rehabilitation goals)
* Currently enrolled in another interventional research study
(Note: A participant who was previously enrolled in another interventional study may join RÉMÉDI-A once their participation in the prior study has ended, without a washout period, provided all eligibility criteria are met.)
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
Change from Baseline in Motor Abilities as Assessed by the Geronto-Psychomotor Examination (EGP) at Week 6
Timeframe: Baseline (Day 0, Week 1) and End of Study (Week 6, ± 7 days)