# Using Dogs to Promote Therapeutic Engagement During Inpatient Rehabilitation Following Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury: Understanding Mechanisms and Moderators of Treatment Response

> **NIH NIH R01** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2022 · $299,235

## Abstract

Abstract
Children with acquired brain injuries (ABI) treated on an inpatient rehabilitation unit are at significant risk for
long term functional impairment, highlighting the importance of maximizing the effectiveness and utilization of
inpatient rehabilitation therapies. The proposed crossover trial seeks to determine the effect of animal-assisted
therapy (AAT) during inpatient rehabilitation following pediatric acquired brain injury. To accomplish this
objective, we will employ a within subjects cross-over trial. Data will be collected during four therapy sessions
across two weeks (2 in week 1 of admission and 2 in week 2 of admission). AAT, via integration of dogs into
patient's physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) session, will occur during one of the two
sessions in the first week and one of the two sessions the second week. The non-AAT condition will be
treatment as usual (TAU) as defined by the patient's treatment team, resulting in 2 AAT sessions and 2 TAU
sessions total. The order of condition will be randomized separately for each week. We will recruit 90 patients
ages 4-21 being treated for ABI on the inpatient rehabilitation unit at CCHMC. We have engaged a highly
qualified multidisciplinary team to ensure the safety, feasibility, and effectiveness of the methods. We will
accomplish the following aims: 1) determine the effect of AAT on patient engagement in inpatient rehabilitation
therapies, 2) examine potential mechanisms of action for AAT-associated improvement in patient engagement
(mood and physiological distress), and 3) determine factors that moderate the effect of AAT on patient
engagement (patient anthropomorphism, patient-animal closeness, time course in admission, and
demographic and injury characteristics). We hypothesize that a greater level of patient engagement will be
observed during AAT sessions compared to treatment as usual (TAU) sessions. Additionally, AAT will be
associated with more positive mood and lower levels of distress, which in turn will be related to greater patient
engagement. Finally, a greater effect of AAT will be noted earlier during patient admissions, and greater levels
of anthropomorphism and patient-animal closeness will be associated with greater levels of patient
engagement during AAT sessions. We propose the use of novel methodology and innovative technology in
data collection designed to address concerns related to bias and reliance of subjective outcomes in the AAT
evidence base. This innovation positions the project to fill an important gap in the existing AAT literature.
Findings will provide critical new insights into why pediatric inpatients benefit from AAT and who is most likely
to benefit. We will translate our findings to ultimately improve functional outcomes following pediatric brain
injury, a leading cause of disability.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10465239
- **Project number:** 5R01HD106416-02
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Megan Narad
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $299,235
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-09 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10465239

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10465239, Using Dogs to Promote Therapeutic Engagement During Inpatient Rehabilitation Following Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury: Understanding Mechanisms and Moderators of Treatment Response (5R01HD106416-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10465239. Licensed CC0.

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