Using dogs to help children with autism manage emotions
Evaluating Additive Effects of Including Canines in Regulating Together: A Group Treatment to Address Emotion Dysregulation in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder
This study tests whether including dogs in a treatment program can help children with autism manage their emotions better.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 240 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 15 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Cincinnati, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT05803343 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study evaluates the effectiveness of including canines in a behavioral treatment program aimed at improving emotion regulation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants aged 8 to 15 will be randomly assigned to either a standard treatment group or a treatment group that incorporates dogs. The study will assess improvements in emotion dysregulation, child engagement, and learning through various measures taken at multiple time points. Additionally, physiological responses will be monitored to explore their relationship with treatment outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 8 to 15 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and experiencing emotion dysregulation.
Not a fit: Patients with a phobia of or allergies to dogs, or those with significant aggression issues, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enhance emotional regulation and learning in children with autism, leading to better overall outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results for animal-assisted interventions in various therapeutic settings, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Concern of emotion dysregulation (ED) as measured by a score of 6 or greater on the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory-Reactivity (EDI-R) * Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) * Diagnosis confirmed by an experienced ASD clinician and further supported by scoring in the range for ASD on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) * A Full Scale Intelligence Quotient score of 65 or greater on the Weschler Abbreviated Scale Intelligence (WASI-II) * English is the primary language * Family willing to keep prescribed medication stable over the course of the study period Exclusion Criteria: * Participant has a phobia toward or is allergic to canines * Participant has a history of aggression toward animals * Participant has had any physical aggression toward other children outside the home in the past 2 weeks that resulted in injury * Presence of comorbid major neuropsychiatric illness warranting other treatment approaches as determined by the study clinician(s) including substance use disorders, psychotic disorders/schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, among others * Presence of any major sensory impairment that would limit participating in the material including blindness or uncorrected hearing loss * A legal guardian is not available to provide informed consent
Where this trial is running
Cincinnati, Ohio
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center — Cincinnati, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Rebecca Shaffer, Psy.D. — Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Carrie Fassler
- Email: carrie.fassler@cchmc.org
- Phone: 513-803-3580
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.