Animal Assisted Activities on the Stress and Social Anxiety
Condition: Stress; Social Anxiety; Disabling Disease; Animal Communication; Nursing Caries; Child
MeSH terms: Anxiety Disorders
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the effects of animal-assisted
      activities on the stress and social anxiety levels of physically disabled children.

      Method: The research was carried out in two separate Special Education and Rehabilitation
      Centers providing education under the Antalya Provincial Directorate of National Education.
      The data of the study were obtained between November 2019-September 2020. The study is a
      single blind randomized controlled study designed in a pretest, posttest and follow-up
      design. The study was carried out in two different institutions to prevent contamination.
      Institutions are determined by an independent lottery method. The sample of the study
      consisted of 44 physically disabled children between the ages of 8-11, as the intervention
      group (n: 21) and the control group (n: 23). A 45-60 minute structured animal supported
      activity program (HayDAP) was applied to the intervention group, once a week for 7 weeks.
      Interviews were conducted individually. The data of the study were obtained using Personal
      Information Form (KBF), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Social Anxiety Scale for Children.
      Follow-up evaluation was made at the end of the 1st month following the completion of the
      application. There was no intervention in the control group. The data were analyzed using the
      Pearson Ki-Square Test in SPSS 23.0 package program, Fisher's Exact Test if large,
      Shapiro-Wilks Test, Box M, Bonferroni and mixed pattern ANOVA tests. A 95% significance level
      (or α = 0.05 margin of error) was used to determine the differences in the analyzes.
    

Detailed description: 
      ANIMAL ASSISTED ACTIVITY PROGRAM (HayDAP):

        1. st week (Pre-test, introduction-introduction) Goal. Developing a trusting relationship

        2. nd week (Information about cats) Purpose: To strengthen the bond that develops between
           the child and the application animal

        3. th (Cat story reading) Purpose: To evaluate the emotions and solutions in the face of
           stressful life events in the face of the story.

        4. th week (Teaching songs, poems, rhymes about cat) Objective: To determine the factors
           that may cause social anxiety and to support the increase of self-confidence in the
           child.

        5. th week (Making / decorating a cat house) Purpose: Discussing the roles and
           relationships of the child in his / her social environment and developing awareness with
           examples of cats.

           Improving communication and problem solving skills

        6. th week (Participation in the rehabilitation program with the treatment animal) Purpose:
           To monitor the child's adherence to treatment Evaluating the child's compliance with the
           treatment during physiotherapy activities while being observed by the application cat
           and the practitioner

        7. th week (Evaluation and closing, last test) Purpose: Finishing the whole process by
           passing A healthy termination of the bond formed with the practice cat
    

Intervention name(s): Animal Assisted Activity Program
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Animal Assisted Activity Program (HayDAP)
st week (Pre-test, introduction-introduction)
nd week (Information about cats)
th (Cat story reading)
th week (Teaching songs, poems, rhymes about cat)
th week (Making / decorating a cat house)
th week (Participation in the rehabilitation program with the treatment animal)
th week (Evaluation and closing, last test)
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: The study is a single blind randomized controlled study designed in a pretest, posttest and follow-up design.
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: pet therapy; disabled child; stress; social anxiety