NCT02758886

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether an animal visitation programs on college campuses are effective in the treatment of college student stress reduction during preparation for final examinations.

Trial Health

100
On Track

Trial Health Score

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

Enrollment
247

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Status
completed

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

Trial Relationships

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Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

April 1, 2014

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

May 1, 2015

Completed
12 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

April 12, 2016

Completed
21 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 3, 2016

Completed
Last Updated

December 7, 2017

Status Verified

December 1, 2017

Enrollment Period

1.1 years

First QC Date

April 12, 2016

Last Update Submit

December 5, 2017

Conditions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

  • Change in physiological stress measured via salivary cortisol

    Salivary cortisol was measured three times on the day of program participation: immediately upon waking, and immediately before and after participation in the assigned 10 minute intervention

    On the day of program participation: Once immediately upon waking up, and immediately before and after participation in the assigned 10 minute intervention

  • Change in momentary emotion using the experience sampling method questionnaire

    Momentary emotion was measured twice, immediately before and after participation in the assigned 10 minute intervention

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in physiological stress measured via salivary Alpha-amylase

    On the day of program participation: Once immediately upon waking up, and immediately before and after participation in the assigned 10 minute intervention

Study Arms (4)

Stress reduction method

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants randomized into the PYSA group engaged in a 10 minute direct interaction with the animals (dogs and cats) of the Pet Your Stress Away program

Behavioral: Animal assisted activity

Control

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants randomized into the Control group watched a 10 minute slide show of dog and cat photos

Behavioral: Animal photos

Non-treatment

NO INTERVENTION

Participants randomized into the No-treatment group silently waited for 10 minutes without engaging in any physical or electronic social interactions.

Observation

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants randomized into the observation group observed 10 minutes of others in the general PYSA program petting cats and dogs, while they 'waited in line' for there turn.

Behavioral: Observing human-animal interaction

Interventions

Allowed to interact (e.g. talking, petting, scratching, feeding treats, playing with) live animals

Stress reduction method
Animal photosBEHAVIORAL

A 10 minute, silent, PowerPoint slide show of a variety of dogs and cats

Control

Participants watched others participate in petting dogs and cats, while they waited in line for 10 minutes. Participants did not physically touch any animals during this time.

Observation

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Undergraduate status

You may not qualify if:

  • None

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Stress, Psychological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral SymptomsBehavior

Study Officials

  • Patricia Pendry, PhD

    Washington State University

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

April 12, 2016

First Posted

May 3, 2016

Study Start

April 1, 2014

Primary Completion

May 1, 2015

Last Updated

December 7, 2017

Record last verified: 2017-12

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share