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Canine visitation (pet) therapy: pilot data on decreases in child pain perception
Elisa J Sobo1, Brenda Eng, Nadine Kassity-Krich
1San Diego State University, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
Insights
Canine visitation therapy (CVT) significantly reduced pain in children after surgery. This therapy may help by distracting children and evoking comforting thoughts, suggesting it as a valuable addition to pediatric pain management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pain Management
- Animal-Assisted Interventions
Background:
- Acute postoperative pain is a significant concern in pediatric care.
- Effective pain management strategies are crucial for improving patient outcomes and recovery.
- Canine visitation therapy (CVT) is an emerging complementary approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of canine visitation therapy (CVT) for managing acute postoperative pain in children.
- To explore the potential mechanisms underlying CVT's efficacy in a pediatric setting.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive pilot study involving 25 children (ages 5-18) experiencing acute postoperative pain.
- Participants received a single, standard CVT intervention.
- Data collected through pre-post surveys and post-intervention interviews.
Main Results:
- Quantitative analysis revealed a significant reduction in perceived pain following CVT.
- Qualitative data suggested cognitive distraction and activation of comforting thoughts as potential mechanisms.
- CVT may help redirect focus from pain-related cognitions.
Conclusions:
- Canine visitation therapy (CVT) shows promise as an effective adjunct to traditional pain management for pediatric patients.
- Integrating CVT into nursing practice could enhance patient care and well-being.
Purpose:
To explore the effectiveness of canine visitation therapy (CVT) in pediatric pain management in a tertiary care children's hospital, a descriptive pilot study was conducted.
Method:
A convenience sample of 25 English-speaking children ages 5 to 18 years who underwent surgery and experienced acute postoperative pain participated in a standard, one-time CVT intervention. Each child completed a pre-post survey and a post intervention interview.
Findings:
Quantitative pre-post findings indicate that CVT significantly reduced perceived pain. Qualitative findings suggest that one mechanism that makes CVT effective may be cognitive. That is, CVTdistracts children from pain-related cognition and possibly activates comforting thoughts regarding companionship or home.
Conclusion:
The study findings suggest that CVT may be a useful adjunct to traditional pain management for children.
Implications:
Nurses may better serve their patients when CVT is an option.