RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07356206

Between Paws and Affections - Impact of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Fibromyalgia Patients

Between Paws and Affections: Impact of Dog Assisted Therapy on Pain, Emotional Symptoms, and Functioning in Fibromyalgia

Sponsor

University of Minho

Enrollment

60 participants

Start Date

Jan 22, 2026

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Fibromyalgia (FM)

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).

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 Years

Inclusion Criteria6

Age 18 years or older
Confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia
Being followed at ULS Alto Ave by the Multidisciplinary Pain Unit, Internal Medicine (Auto immune diseases), Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine or Neurology
Ability to read and write Portuguese and to understand the study procedures
Willingness and ability to participate voluntarily in the 10 session program and all scheduled assessments (T1-T4)
Provision of written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria6

Allergy to dogs or marked fear of dogs
History of aggression towards animals
History of oncological disease
Concomitant systemic or rheumatologic disease that may confound pain and functional assessment
Decompensated psychiatric disorder or severe cognitive impairment that may compromise comprehension of the protocol or adherence to the intervention
Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent at any point

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALBehavioral: 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.

BEHAVIORALBehavioral: 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.