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NCT03249116 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · NA
Assessing Mechanisms of Anxiety Reduction in Animal-assisted Interventions
A NA study, sponsored by Tufts University.
- Completed
- Registry status
- NA
- Development phase
- 75
- Enrollment target
NCT03249116: Completed NA study, sponsored by Tufts University.
NCT03249116 is a NA study that has completed, run by Tufts University. The registered enrollment target is 75 participants, below the 1,404-participant average among 58,714 other NA trials with a reported enrollment target (95% lower). According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.
The verdict
NCT03249116, a NA study, has completed, sponsored by Tufts University.
- COMPLETED
- Registry status
- NA
- Development phase
- 75 participants
- Enrollment target
Study Summary
Adolescence and young adulthood is a critical period for the development of social anxiety, which is often linked to other mental health challenges such as depression, mood disorders, and substance abuse. Initial evidence suggests that interacting with animals can reduce stress and anxiety, but no research has tested whether this benefit extends to adolescents at risk for social anxiety disorder. Additionally, researchers and clinicians do not understand what mechanism is responsible for anxiety reduction in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs). Therefore, the objectives of this study are to explore the specific mechanisms by which interacting with a therapy dog reduces anxiety, and to test whether such an interaction reduces anxiety in adolescents with varying levels of social anxiety.
Primary Outcome
The state scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to measure state-level anxiety. We used the six-item short form of the STAI, which asks participants to rate how each of the six words reflects their feelings (calm, upset, relaxed, worried, tense, content). The short form was originally administered as a four-point scale, which we further modified to a three-point scale for feasibility in administering repeatedly over a short time period (response options for each item followe
Interventions
- OTHER animal-assisted intervention
- OTHER active control
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 75 participants |
| Start Date | 2017-10-01 |
| Est. Completion | 2019-09-01 |
| Phase | NA |
What the finished NCT03249116 record still lists
NCT03249116 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 75 participants, a relatively small participant target, below the 1,404-participant average among 58,714 other NA trials with a reported enrollment target (95% lower).
The record links to 0 conditions, and to 2 interventions - of which animal-assisted intervention is the first listed.
NCT03249116 does not publish any study locations in the registry export this page uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03249116 about?
NCT03249116 is a clinical study titled "Assessing Mechanisms of Anxiety Reduction in Animal-assisted Interventions". Adolescence and young adulthood is a critical period for the development of social anxiety, which is often linked to other mental health challenges such as depression, mood disorders, and substance abuse. Initial evidence suggests that interacting with animals can reduce stress and anxiety, but no r...
What is the current status of trial NCT03249116?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 75 participants. The study started on 2017-10-01. Estimated completion is 2019-09-01.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03249116?
The interventions under investigation include: animal-assisted intervention (OTHER), active control (OTHER).
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03249116?
This trial is sponsored by Tufts University, which has 163 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
How this trial's enrollment target compares
Where NCT03249116's enrollment target sits among peer trials
75 1069th of 2000 higher than 919 of 2,000 other NA trials
participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other NA trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08
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