NCT05577234

Contribution of Animal-assisted Intervention in Oral Healthcare for Disabled Patients (YODA)

Contribution of Animal-assisted Intervention in Oral Healthcare for Disabled Patients

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (actual)
• Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Years – 17 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether animal-assisted therapy during 2 care sessions then facilitates conventional ambulatory management without animal assistance in anxious uncooperative children with autism.

Detailed description

The particularity of some disabled patients, especially those with an autism spectrum disorder, is represented by anxiety, which can range from a slight tension to screaming or even extreme agitation. This behavior can make therapeutic management difficult, both for the patient and the caregiver. This is particularly true for oral health care, where the cooperation of the patient is essential. Conventional behavioral approaches, with implementation of a multitude of adaptive strategies, has a fundamental role to play. With disabled patients, these techniques are most often based on non-verbal or para-verbal communication rather than on linguistic procedures. In this context, an Animal Assisted Intervention could be of major help. The primary outcome is average child anxiety during the session assessed by the Venham scale modified by Veerkamp measured at the end of the third session of care (without animal-assisted therapy).

Conditions

• Autism

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Animal-assisted intervention	The dog accompanied by the zootherapist will participate in the care of sessions 1 and 2. During these two sessions, the dog will be present with the child in the waiting room until the end of the dental consultation. Session 3 will take place without the dog being present.The usual management with conventional behavioural strategies and possible administration of MEOPA will be implemented during the 3 treatment sessions.
BEHAVIORAL	Venham scale modified by Veerkamp	The Venham scale modified by Veerkamp, based on observation of one's behaviour and used in current practice, ranges from 0 (relaxed) to 5 (totally disconnected from the reality of danger).

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-03-24
• Primary completion: 2024-03-25
• Completion: 2024-03-25
• First posted: 2022-10-13
• Last updated: 2026-03-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: France