Improved Physical Activity Behaviors in Children With Developmental Disabilities: A Program with the Family Dog

• In Event: Human-animal interaction as a context for supporting youth development

Abstract

Introduction: Physical inactivity has far-reaching health consequences including higher risk for diabetes, metabolic syndrome and poorer cardiovascular health. While public health initiatives have actively engaged the population to improve physical activity behaviors (e.g., Healthy People 2010 & 2020), one group in particular has been far less active, with higher rates of physical inactivity- individuals with disabilities. Of important note, children with developmental disabilities are significantly less physically active than their peers without disabilities. Thus, not only are the physical activity behaviors of children with disabilities lower compared to their peers without disabilities, but declines in physical activity are progressive with chronological age. Thus, there is a need for targeted youth-based interventions that encourage physically active behavior for this group of children. The purpose of this project was to test the effects of a novel imitation-based dog training intervention on the physical activity behaviors of children with developmental disabilities, using the family dog. We hypothesized that children participating in the imitation-based protocol would improve their physical activity behaviors more than controls. Method: Child participants (N= 32) and their family dogs were randomized into one of three groups, experimental intervention (imitation-based physical activity animal assisted intervention [AAI]), dog walking (control) or to a waitlisted control group. Children randomized into the experimental intervention or dog walking group took part in a 10-day protocol for one hour each session. The experimental group consisted of 60 minute sessions where child-dog pairs trained 3- 6 behaviors using positive reinforcement training before learning how to transfer the stimulus control to the physical actions of the child (generalized imitation). Each child-dog pair progressed at a rate developmentally appropriate for the pair. The dog-walking control intervention consisted of learning to walk the dog on a loose leash and using positive behavior training techniques, the waitlisted control did not take part in an intervention and were waitlisted for the experimental intervention one-year following enrollment. Results: Findings indicated that the physical activity behaviors of the child participants who participated in the experimental group improved more compared to child participants who participated in the waitlisted control group, immediately post-intervention. Statistically significant differences included improved moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; approximate 18 min/day increase in MVPA among experimental group participants compared to the control group – adjusted p=0.048), as measured by accelerometry. There were no statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the dog-walking control group, immediately post-intervention. While there were no statistically significant differences in physical activity one-year post intervention, the experimental group trended towards better physical activity behaviors, compared to control. There were no statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the dog-walking control group. Self-report measures of dog-walking also support the objective physical activity results. Findings will be discussed.

Authors

• Megan MacDonald, Oregon State University - Corvallis
  Presenting Author

• Monique Udell, Oregon State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• John Schuna, Oregon State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Duo Jiang, Oregon State University
  Non-Presenting Author