NCT01998490

Brief Summary

The overall research aim of this study is to investigate changes in measures related to the risk of falls among elderly with dementia participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions. In addition the study will investigate how knowledge transfer occurs among involved health personnel, and how knowledge is refined and transformed as practical competence. The design will be a prospective and cluster randomized multicenter trial, but mixed-methods will be used to target different outcomes. The study population will be elderly (age above 65) at nursing homes diagnosed with dementia, or having a cognitive deficit. The intervention will consist of 30 minutes sessions with animal-assisted activity or robot-assisted activity two times a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants. Control groups will receive treatment as usual. Research questions:

  1. 1.Is there an effect in use of ordinary and optional medication among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group?
  2. 2.Is there an effect on agitation, restlessness and depression among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group?
  3. 3.Is there an effect on social interaction, activeness and wellbeing among elderly persons with dementia at nursing homes participating in animal-assisted or robot-assisted interventions compared to a control group?

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
88

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2013

Geographic Reach
1 country

15 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2013

Completed
11 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

November 19, 2013

Completed
10 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 29, 2013

Completed
5 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 1, 2014

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

August 1, 2014

Completed
Last Updated

September 29, 2014

Status Verified

September 1, 2014

Enrollment Period

1.3 years

First QC Date

November 19, 2013

Last Update Submit

September 26, 2014

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in Norwegian version of The Brief Agitation Rating Scale

    Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention

Other Outcomes (6)

  • Change in Norwegian version of Cornell scale for depression

    Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 4 and 8 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention

  • Change in Norwegian version of QUALID

    Second last og last week before the intervention starts, after 6 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention. A follow-up measure 3 months after end of the intervention

  • Change in behaviours, engagement and well-being measured by use of Dementia Care Mapping

    Second last or last week before the intervention starts, after 6 weeks of the intervention, and first or second week after end of intervention.

  • +3 more other outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Animal-assisted activity

EXPERIMENTAL

30 minutes group session with animal-assisted activity twice a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants.

Other: Animal-assisted activity

Robot-assisted activity

EXPERIMENTAL

30 minutes group session with robot-assisted activity with the robot seal Paro twice a week for 12 weeks in groups of 4-6 participants

Other: Robot-assisted activity

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Control group with treatment as usual

Interventions

Animal-assisted activity
Robot-assisted activity

Eligibility Criteria

Age65 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsOlder Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • \- Diagnosis of dementia or having a cognitive deficit measured as a score less than 25 on Mini-Mental State Examination.

You may not qualify if:

  • Fear of dogs
  • Dog allergy
  • Need of wheel chair

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (15)

Pålsetunet bo- og servicesenter

Fet, Norway

Location

Solliheimen Sykehjem

Fredrikstad, Norway

Location

Solheimen senter

Halden, Norway

Location

Frida Sykehjem

Larvik, Norway

Location

Lørenskog Sykehjem, avd. Losbyveien

Lørenskog, Norway

Location

Løreskog sykhjem, avd Krydderhagen

Lørenskog, Norway

Location

Orkerød Sykehjem

Moss, Norway

Location

Ryggeheimen

Moss, Norway

Location

Gipø Sykehjem

Nøtterøy, Norway

Location

Greverud Sykehjem

Oppegård, Norway

Location

Høyås Sykehjem

Oppegård, Norway

Location

Sandetun Sykehjem

Sande, Norway

Location

Kamfjordhjemmet

Sandefjord, Norway

Location

Sørvald bo- og behandlingssenter

Sørum, Norway

Location

Tjøme Sykehjem

Tjøme, Norway

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Joranson N, Pedersen I, Rokstad AM, Ihlebaek C. Change in quality of life in older people with dementia participating in Paro-activity: a cluster-randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs. 2016 Dec;72(12):3020-3033. doi: 10.1111/jan.13076. Epub 2016 Aug 16.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain DiseasesCentral Nervous System DiseasesNervous System DiseasesNeurocognitive DisordersMental Disorders

Study Officials

  • Camilla Ihlebæk, PhD

    Norwegian University of Life Sciences

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE CARE
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

November 19, 2013

First Posted

November 29, 2013

Study Start

January 1, 2013

Primary Completion

May 1, 2014

Study Completion

August 1, 2014

Last Updated

September 29, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-09

Locations