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NCT03873831 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · NA
Effects of Therapy Dogs on Social Behavior in Group Social Skills Instruction With Children With Autism
A NA study, sponsored by Texas Tech University.
- Completed
- Registry status
- NA
- Development phase
- 72
- Enrollment target
NCT03873831: Completed NA study, sponsored by Texas Tech University.
NCT03873831 is a NA study that has completed, run by Texas Tech University. The registered enrollment target is 72 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
NCT03873831, a NA study, has completed, sponsored by Texas Tech University.
- COMPLETED
- Registry status
- NA
- Development phase
- 72 participants
- Enrollment target
Study Summary
Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) can increase social behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although the mechanism by which this occurs remains elusive. The central goal of this project is to identify the mechanisms involved in the social-enhancing effect of dogs on children with ASD. The investigators will incorporate therapy dogs into an established evidence-based, group social skills instruction program for children with ASD, using a controlled experimental design with between- and within- subject comparisons and physiological and behavioral outcome measures. The investigators predict therapy dogs to have a specific and measurable effect on children's social behavior and that this effect is gained through identifiable mechanisms. Specifically, the investigators hypothesize that (1) an integration of therapy dogs into group social skills instruction will result in reduced stress and improved social behavior compare to traditional group instruction; (2) repeated exposure to the therapy dog across sessions will increase a child's preference for spending time with the dog and will increase the social-enhancing effects of the dog; and (3) that the therapists will experience less stress, engage in more social and affiliative behavior towards the children, and deliver higher quality instruction during sessions that include dogs. The investigators will enroll 72 children with ASD into group social skills instruction classes taught by 6 therapists. Each child will experience a 10-week, 8-student class in which either (a) the first 5 weeks will involve a therapy dog, (b) the last 5 weeks will involve the therapy dog, or (c) the class will not involve a therapy dog. The therapists will teach the courses repeatedly across the three cycles of the program with different children, rotating through each condition. Social behavior, stress behavior, heart rate, electrodermal activity, and salivary cortisol concentrations of children and therapists will be ass
Primary Outcome
The investigators will record total frequency and rate of verbal utterances during each session.
Interventions
- BEHAVIORAL Animal-assisted intervention
- BEHAVIORAL Social skills group
Trial Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Enrollment Target | 72 participants |
| Start Date | 2019-05-15 |
| Est. Completion | 2021-04-26 |
| Phase | NA |
What the finished NCT03873831 record still lists
NCT03873831 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 72 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.
NCT03873831 does not publish any study locations in the registry export this page uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is clinical trial NCT03873831 about?
NCT03873831 is a clinical study titled "Effects of Therapy Dogs on Social Behavior in Group Social Skills Instruction With Children With Autism". Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) can increase social behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although the mechanism by which this occurs remains elusive. The central goal of this project is to identify the mechanisms involved in the social-enhancing effect of dogs on children wi...
What is the current status of trial NCT03873831?
This trial is currently completed. It is a NA study. The enrollment target is 72 participants. The study started on 2019-05-15. Estimated completion is 2021-04-26.
What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03873831?
The interventions under investigation include: Animal-assisted intervention (BEHAVIORAL), Social skills group (BEHAVIORAL).
Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03873831?
This trial is sponsored by Texas Tech University, which has 69 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.
Learn More About Clinical Trials
How this trial's enrollment target compares
Where NCT03873831's enrollment target sits among peer trials
72 1089th of 2000 higher than 899 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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