A Pilot Study on Animal-Assisted Intervention in Correctional Settings

NCT06968351 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: EA240679
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 156
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Psychological Wellbeing; Animal-assisted Intervention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in common psychopathology as measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items

  Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS21; Lovibond \& Lovibond, 1995) is a self-report measure of common mental health concerns. The three subscales are each measured with seven items, using a 4-point Likert scale from 0 = Did not apply to me at all to 3 = Applied to me very much or most of the time. Scores are summed for each subscale, with higher scores indicating more severe levels of emotional symptoms.

  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

  International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF; Thompson, 2007) is an adapted version of the PANAS-SF (Watson et al., 1988) and designed specifically for non-English speaking individuals. Using a 5-point Likert scale from 1 = Never to 5 = Always, individuals rate on their experience of five positive affect and five negative affect in the present moment. Scores are summed for each subscale, with higher scores indicating higher levels of positive or negative affect.

  At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions

• Change in heart rate variability

  Heart rate data are collected via photoplethysmogram signals and then transformed into heart rate variability with artifacts corrected through automated detection using the Kubios HRV Scientific software (Kubios, 2024).

  At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions

• Change in skin conductance

  Both phasic and tonic skin conductance data are captured with a galvanic skin response sensor

  At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Change in disciplinary offences and privileges during incarceration

  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

  Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment

• Change in empathy as measured with the Brief Interpersonal Reactivity Index

  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

  Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment

• Change in psychological flexibility as measured with the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory

  Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment

Study Arms (1)

Treatment

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants are assigned to a brief animal-assisted intervention that is offered on a group basis across four sessions. Each of the four sessions lasts approximately 60 minutes. In addition to questionnaire data prior to and after the treatment, participants will provide physiological and questionnaire data at both the beginning and the end of each session.

Behavioral: Animal-Assisted Intervention

Interventions

Animal-Assisted Intervention BEHAVIORAL

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 applications of two or more of these single-component commands to an interactive group activity. Project staff are present at each session to facilitate discussions among participants on any challenges encountered, learning, and intra- as well as inter-personal experiences during the session.

Also known as: AAI, Dog Therapy

Treatment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• persons-in-custody
• aged 18 or older
• understand Cantonese

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The University of Hong Kong: lead
• Hong Kong Correctional Services Department: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Hong Kong Correctional Services Department

Hong Kong, 00000, Hong Kong

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Director

CONTACT

+852-39175889; idpclab@hku.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Research Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2025
• First Posted: May 13, 2025
• Study Start: June 2, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 31, 2025
• Study Completion: December 31, 2025
• Last Updated: August 1, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

HK (1)