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Between Paws and Affections - Impact of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Fibromyalgia Patients
Sponsor: University of Minho
Summary
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and medium-term maintenance of a structured dog-assisted therapy (DAT) protocol, "Entre Patas e Afetos" (Between Paws and Affections), in reducing pain, anxiety and depressive symptoms and in improving functional status and quality of life in Portuguese patients with fibromyalgia (FM) followed at ULS Alto Ave, with systematic outcome assessment in the immediate post intervention phase (T2), 6-month follow-up (T3) and 12-month follow-up (T4).
Official title: Between Paws and Affections: Impact of Dog Assisted Therapy on Pain, Emotional Symptoms, and Functioning in Fibromyalgia
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
60
Start Date
2025-12-02
Completion Date
2029-06-30
Last Updated
2026-01-21
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Behavioral: Dog Assisted Therapy (DAT - "Between Paws and Affections")
Dog Assisted Therapy (DAT - "Between Paws and Affections") - Intervention group that will receive a total of 10 group sessions at the Psychiatry Day Hospital of ULS Alto Ave, organized into 4 weekly structured sessions (combining psychoeducation on fibromyalgia and chronic pain, functional training and self care, lifestyle counseling and guided relaxation, all mediated by trained therapy dogs and a professional dog handler), followed by 6 monthly guided relaxation "booster" sessions with the dogs.
Behavioral: Psychoeducation and Relaxation without Dogs (Control)
Control group that will receive the same 10 session program, with structure, duration and content identical to the DAT arm (4 weekly structured psychoeducation and functional/self care sessions plus 6 monthly guided relaxation "booster" sessions), but delivered entirely without dogs.
Locations (1)
Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) Alto Ave
Guimarães, Portugal