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Note: This study is currently only recruiting patients in the hospital.

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A Pilot Study on the use of Canine Assisted Therapy for the Treatment of Major Depression Disorder

Researchers at MGH are studying animal-assisted therapy, or therapy with a licensed social worker and therapy dog, and its effects on depression.

16 sessions over 8 weeks
Estimated Time Commitment
Any Sex/Gender, 18-80 years
May Be Eligible
Payment up to $150
May Be Offered
Blood draw, Survey, Office visit
May Be Required
 
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This project is not recruiting.

What we are studying

this research to study to find out if Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) can help to treat symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Animal Assisted Therapy is a form of therapy that uses licensed service animals and human handlers (mental health provides who handle the animal) to provide goal-directed interventions to individuals of all ages. In this study,we will use licensed service dogs as part of the AAT treatment.This is a pilot study that is being done to determine if a larger study of animal-assisted therapy should be done.


Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes licensed and credentialed service animals and handlers (mental health providers who handle the animal) to provide goal-directed interventions to individuals of all ages.


Why it is important


What we hope to accomplish

Principal Investigator

Christina Dording, MD

Massachusetts General Hospital

Public Profile

Inclusion criteria:


40 subjects will be enrolled in this study and all will receive AAT.


 


 


Participants must be able and willing to provide informed consent.


 


Participants will be between the ages of 18-80.


 


Participants will meet criteria for a current episode of MDD (as assessed with the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview ( MINI) and current significant symptoms of depression with scores indicating mild to moderate severity (HAM-D-17 of 10-22).


                                                                                                                       


No changes in psychiatric medication for the past 8 weeks.  Patients will be asked not to change psychiatric medication for the course of the study, but will not be discontinued from the study due to medication changes/treatment changes, though will be asked to alert us of these changes.


 


Participants must be able and willing to interact with dogs.

Exclusion criteria:


 


Having failed more than one antidepressant (including the current one) in the current episode.


 


Significant change in screening Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) from screen to baseline (as indicated by a change of  >25%).


 


Conditions that may make it difficult to conclusively determine that depressive symptoms are the result of depression and not some other condition: any form of substance abuse or dependence within the last 12 months, relevant medical conditions that may be the medical basis of a depression including epilepsy, history of an abnormal EEG, severe head trauma, or stroke


 


Current active suicidal or homicidal or self-injurious potential necessitating immediate treatment; or significant risk for suicide as assessed by evaluating clinician.


Undergoing psychotherapy or psychosocial treatment during the period of this study.


 


Patients with primary diagnosis other than a depressive disorder, including personality disorder.


 


Any history of psychosis or mania.


 


General conditions that would impede participation in this intervention as assessed by the evaluating clinician delivering the intervention (such as severe characterological disorder, cognitive impairment, tendencies toward physical aggression).


 


No active substance abuse or dependence within the past 12 months, to be determined by the study clinician.


 


Serious or uncontrolled medical conditions (e.g., poorly controlled diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or severe congestive heart failure) or other medical conditions that have not been stable for at least three months.


 


 


Previous participation in AAT.


 


A change in medication type or dosage in the 8 weeks preceding the start of the intervention or any time during the study up to the final assessment.


Any research subject with allergies to dogs, fear of dogs or active substance abuse or active suicidal ideation will be excluded from participating.

Twice -weekly AAT will be delivered over an eight-week period of time.   All patients will receive AAT.  Education about AAT and what patients should anticipate when working with the therapy dog will be provided during the baseline visit.  At the endpoint visit (week 8), patients will be given an exit interview to assess participants’ qualitative experience with AAT.  Therapy sessions will be free to participants and conducted at the DCRP.


Project activities may include:

  • Blood draw
  • Survey
  • Office visit

Estimated Time Commitment

16 sessions over 8 weeks


Payment will be up to $150 dollars if partiicpant completes the study. If they do not complete it, they not be paid.


We can also validate parking in the hospital garage during study visits.

Depression Clinical and Research Program
One Bowdoin Square, Floor 6, Boston, MA 02114

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Travel

  • Parking available
  • Parking reimbursed
  • Accessible by public transportation

Travel and Parking Details


Participating Institutions


Funding Source

  • Other
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