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Dog Presence and Oxytocin on Trust Towards Therapists
Sponsor: Dr. Karin Hediger
Summary
Oxytocin has been proposed as a neuroendocrine mechanism that may mediate the relationship between dog ownership and positive health outcomes and be linked to human-dog interactions and is thought to be a mechanism of interspecies bonding. While the role of oxytocin in human bonding behaviours and social behaviour, in general, is becoming well-established the role of oxytocin in human-animal interaction and Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAI) remains unclear. This research gap calls for more high-quality research investigating this possible neuroendocrine underlying mechanism to advance knowledge about AAI. If oxytocin indeed might be involved in interspecies bonding, intranasally administered oxytocin should not only enhance trust toward a human but also towards a dog.
Official title: Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Trust Towards Therapists and Dogs: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy Adults
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
176
Start Date
2024-01-29
Completion Date
2024-12-31
Last Updated
2024-11-05
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Interventions
Oxytocin nasal spray
Syntocinon nose spray is usually applied in the context of labour and breast feeding. In this study, however, it will be used to induce an oxytocin (OT) release. Participants will apply three sprays in each nostril which will result in a dose of 24 I.U of oxytocin per participant
Animal-Assisted Intervention
The dogs involved in the study are trained and used to work with different people in animal-assisted interventions. The dog will be familiarized with the room and the material as well as the staff of the study. The dog will be specifically trained for this study. The dog will be involved for a maximum of 3 sessions per day (approx. 20 minutes in total) and 2 days per week.
Placebo
The placebo nose spray contains a saltwater solution and will be applied like the Syntocinon nose spray containing oxytocin.
Locations (1)
University of Basel
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, Switzerland