Abstract
Objective: This multicenter, parallel-group, randomized trial examined the effects of an animal-assisted intervention on the stress, anxiety, and health-related quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer and their parents. Method: Newly diagnosed patients, aged 3 to 17 years (n = 106), were randomized to receive either standard care plus regular visits from a therapy dog (intervention group), or standard care only (control group). Data were collected at set points over 4 months of the child’s treatment. Measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory™, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Pediatric Inventory for Parents, and child blood pressure and heart rate. All instruments were completed by the child and/or his/her parent(s). Results: Children in both groups experienced a significant reduction in state anxiety (P <.001). Parents in the intervention group showed significantly decreased parenting stress (P =.008), with no changes in stress among parents in the control group. However, no significant differences between groups over time on any measures were observed. Conclusions: Animal-assisted interventions may provide certain benefits for parents and families during the initial stages of pediatric cancer treatment.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 159-177 |
| Number of pages | 19 |
| Journal | Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 1 2018 |
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Keywords
- animal-assisted intervention
- health-related quality of life
- parent
- pediatric oncology
- stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics
- Oncology(nursing)
Cite this
Measuring the Effects of an Animal-Assisted Intervention for Pediatric Oncology Patients and Their Parents : A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. / McCullough, Amy; Ruehrdanz, Ashleigh; Jenkins, Molly A.; Gilmer, Mary Jo; Olson, Janice; Pawar, Anjali S; Holley, Leslie; Sierra-Rivera, Shirley; Linder, Deborah E.; Pichette, Danielle; Grossman, Neil J.; Hellman, Cynthia; Guérin, Noémi A.; O’Haire, Marguerite E.
In: Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, Vol. 35, No. 3, 01.05.2018, p. 159-177.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Measuring the Effects of an Animal-Assisted Intervention for Pediatric Oncology Patients and Their Parents
T2 - A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial
AU - McCullough, Amy
AU - Ruehrdanz, Ashleigh
AU - Jenkins, Molly A.
AU - Gilmer, Mary Jo
AU - Olson, Janice
AU - Pawar, Anjali S
AU - Holley, Leslie
AU - Sierra-Rivera, Shirley
AU - Linder, Deborah E.
AU - Pichette, Danielle
AU - Grossman, Neil J.
AU - Hellman, Cynthia
AU - Guérin, Noémi A.
AU - O’Haire, Marguerite E.
PY - 2018/5/1
Y1 - 2018/5/1
N2 - Objective: This multicenter, parallel-group, randomized trial examined the effects of an animal-assisted intervention on the stress, anxiety, and health-related quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer and their parents. Method: Newly diagnosed patients, aged 3 to 17 years (n = 106), were randomized to receive either standard care plus regular visits from a therapy dog (intervention group), or standard care only (control group). Data were collected at set points over 4 months of the child’s treatment. Measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory™, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Pediatric Inventory for Parents, and child blood pressure and heart rate. All instruments were completed by the child and/or his/her parent(s). Results: Children in both groups experienced a significant reduction in state anxiety (P <.001). Parents in the intervention group showed significantly decreased parenting stress (P =.008), with no changes in stress among parents in the control group. However, no significant differences between groups over time on any measures were observed. Conclusions: Animal-assisted interventions may provide certain benefits for parents and families during the initial stages of pediatric cancer treatment.
AB - Objective: This multicenter, parallel-group, randomized trial examined the effects of an animal-assisted intervention on the stress, anxiety, and health-related quality of life for children diagnosed with cancer and their parents. Method: Newly diagnosed patients, aged 3 to 17 years (n = 106), were randomized to receive either standard care plus regular visits from a therapy dog (intervention group), or standard care only (control group). Data were collected at set points over 4 months of the child’s treatment. Measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory™, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Pediatric Inventory for Parents, and child blood pressure and heart rate. All instruments were completed by the child and/or his/her parent(s). Results: Children in both groups experienced a significant reduction in state anxiety (P <.001). Parents in the intervention group showed significantly decreased parenting stress (P =.008), with no changes in stress among parents in the control group. However, no significant differences between groups over time on any measures were observed. Conclusions: Animal-assisted interventions may provide certain benefits for parents and families during the initial stages of pediatric cancer treatment.
KW - animal-assisted intervention
KW - health-related quality of life
KW - parent
KW - pediatric oncology
KW - stress
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85045481838&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85045481838&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1043454217748586
DO - 10.1177/1043454217748586
M3 - Article
VL - 35
SP - 159
EP - 177
JO - Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
JF - Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing
SN - 1043-4542
IS - 3
ER -