A Pilot Study on Animal-Assisted Intervention in Correctional Settings
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Animal-Assisted Intervention.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Psychological Wellbeing, Animal-assisted Intervention. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Hong Kong
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Animal-Assisted Intervention: An Effectiveness Study Using Qualitative and Quantitative Measures on Offenders With Mental Illnesses in Hong Kong
Overview
Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress are particularly prevalent among incarcerated individuals and are considered risk factors for recidivism. Leveraging the natural human-animal bond, animal-assisted intervention (AAI) offers a less threatening alternative to engage incarcerated individuals and address their mental health needs. As an initial effort to help promote rehabilitative security in Hong Kong, the current study examines the acceptability and effectiveness of a brief animal-assisted program among offenders in local secured facilities.
Interventions
- Behavioral Animal-Assisted Intervention
A brief animal-assisted intervention is offered on a group basis across four sessions. Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and covers the same themes but through different exercises. These themes include effective communication, behavioral principles, problem-solving, and teamwork. The first part of a session involves learning to give effective single-component commands to a rehabilitative dog under the guidance of a professional dog handler. The second part of a session involves the app
Primary outcome measures
- Change in common psychopathology as measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items [Time frame: At the beginning of each sessions, approximately one week after completion of the treatment, and one month after the treatment]
- Change in emotional state as measured with the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form [Time frame: At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions]
- Change in heart rate variability [Time frame: At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions]
- Change in skin conductance [Time frame: At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions]
Secondary outcome measures (8)
- Change in disciplinary offences and privileges during incarceration [Time frame: At each session, up to a total of four sessions, and within a week after the treatment]
- Change in trauma-related psychopathology as measured with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 [Time frame: Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment]
- Change in empathy as measured with the Brief Interpersonal Reactivity Index [Time frame: Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment]
- Change in self-efficacy as measured with the New General Self-Efficacy Scale [Time frame: Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment]
- Change in psychological flexibility as measured with the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory [Time frame: Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment]
- Change in openness to treatment as measured with the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help [Time frame: Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment if feasible]
- Change in social interactions [Time frame: At each session, up to a total of four sessions, and within a week after the treatment]
- Subjective experience with the treatment [Time frame: Within a month after the treatment]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- persons-in-custody
- aged 18 or older
- understand Cantonese
Exclusion criteria
- an allergy, a fear, or a dislike toward dogs
- a history of aggression toward animals
- a criminal history involving animals
- a history of neurodevelopmental disorders
- active psychosis or mania
- active suicidality
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Single group
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Hong Kong · 1 center
- Hong Kong Correctional Services Department — Hong Kong
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06968351 · EA240679