Scholarlink

Abstract <p>There has been growing interest in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in recent decades due to increasing reports indicating its health benefits for adult patients. These benefits are partly attributed to changes, usually increased levels of the neuropeptide oxytocin.&#xa0;</p> Aim <p>To investigate changes in oxytocin levels in hospitalized children meeting a certified Hospital Dog<sup>®</sup>.</p> Method <p>Urine samples were collected between 25/02/2016 and 24/05/2017 from 35 hospitalized children (3–17 years) before and after each participant had a session with the Hospital Dog<sup>®</sup>. Oxytocin levels were analysed with an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Creatinine levels were measured to determine the subject’s fluid intake and then divided by the hormonal concentration (uOT pg/ml).</p> Results <p>The mean level of uOT was 186.0 ± 236.7 (51.5–1349.5) pg/ml before and 137.3 ± 121.5 (30.7–591.3) pg/ml after the dog session (<i>p</i> = 0.010).</p> Conclusion <p>Decreased levels of uOT were recorded during the study in which hospitalized children met a Hospital Dog<sup>®</sup>. The decreased OT levels are potentially the result of the intense activity the subject experienced with the dog during the interaction.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Urinary oxytocin levels in children meeting a Hospital Dog®

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月8日

查看全文
  • A. Risberg,
  • A. Larsson,
  • U. Bodén,
  • A. Edner

摘要

Abstract

There has been growing interest in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in recent decades due to increasing reports indicating its health benefits for adult patients. These benefits are partly attributed to changes, usually increased levels of the neuropeptide oxytocin. 

Aim

To investigate changes in oxytocin levels in hospitalized children meeting a certified Hospital Dog®.

Method

Urine samples were collected between 25/02/2016 and 24/05/2017 from 35 hospitalized children (3–17 years) before and after each participant had a session with the Hospital Dog®. Oxytocin levels were analysed with an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Creatinine levels were measured to determine the subject’s fluid intake and then divided by the hormonal concentration (uOT pg/ml).

Results

The mean level of uOT was 186.0 ± 236.7 (51.5–1349.5) pg/ml before and 137.3 ± 121.5 (30.7–591.3) pg/ml after the dog session (p = 0.010).

Conclusion

Decreased levels of uOT were recorded during the study in which hospitalized children met a Hospital Dog®. The decreased OT levels are potentially the result of the intense activity the subject experienced with the dog during the interaction.