Impact of Animal-Assisted Interactions on Quality of Life in Children With Relapsed/Refractory Cancer and Their Parents: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract

Background

Children with cancer are at increased risk for cognitive and physical suffering from side effects of treatment and disease sequelae. Animal-assisted interactions (AAIs) with canine therapy show strong promise to improve physical and psychosocial outcomes for children newly diagnosed with cancer. Few rigorous studies have focused on the role of AAI for children with relapsed/refractory cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preliminary efficacy of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) using AAI with children diagnosed with relapsed/refractory cancer for the outcome of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Method

This study was a component of a larger mixed-methods RCT in which 30 children (ages 3–17 years) with relapsed/refractory cancer and their caregivers were randomized to receive weekly AAI sessions with a dog and handler or usual care (UC) for 12 weeks during each child's visit to a hospital-based pediatric cancer center.

Results

Mother and child dyads (N = 21) completed the PedsQL 3.0 Cancer Module at both baseline and 12 weeks (nine UC, 12 AAI) required for analyses. None of the changes over time were statistically significant (p > .05); the strongest effects were observed on communication and procedural anxiety.

Discussion

While results were not statistically significant, they suggest AAI demonstrates potential for enhanced HRQoL for children with relapsed/refractory cancer. More research is needed with larger samples and may necessitate the use of a measure designed to capture issues particularly relevant to children with advanced disease.

Keywords

animal-assisted therapy advanced cancer pediatric cancer caregivers quality of life

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