NCT06931665

Neurological and Physiological Effects of Animal-assisted Therapy for Patients in a Minimally Conscious State

Neurological and Physiological Effects of Animal-assisted Therapy for Patients in a Minimally Conscious State: a Randomized, Controlled Cross-over Study

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 26 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Basel · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to explore the impact of Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) on brain signal complexity in patients with minimally conscious state (MCS) by analyzing electroencephalogram (EEG) entropy. MCS patients typically exhibit reduced brain entropy compared to healthy individuals, indicating lower brain complexity. The study will assess whether AAT can enhance this complexity, which is crucial for understanding consciousness levels. Entropy, a measure of randomness in brain activity, will be used to evaluate AAT's effectiveness. In addition, electrocardiography (ECG), electrodermal activity (EDA) and behavioral measurements will also be collected.

Conditions

• Minimally Conscious State

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Animal Assisted Occupational Therapy	AAT is an ergotherapy including an animal. AAT is a specific type of Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI) with a therapeutic aim.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-07-08
• Primary completion: 2027-04-01
• Completion: 2027-04-01
• First posted: 2025-04-17
• Last updated: 2025-12-18

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: Switzerland