Abstract
Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors are at risk for developing post intensive care syndrome (PICS), the physical, cognitive, psychological, and/or social conditions that persist after hospital discharge (Yuan et al., 2021). Current approaches aimed at addressing PICS tend to employ a singular focus on physical health; prevention and treatment strategies focused on the holistic needs of ICU survivors that extend beyond the confines of formal settings and into the community and home are needed (Geense et al., 2019).
A complementary intervention not previously explored in the ICU survivor population is companion dog walking. Companion dogs have been linked to improved psychological, physical, and social health in their owners, and research suggests companion dogs may be most beneficial to human mental health when owners share intentional and engaging activities with their dog (Nelson et al., 2024).
The purpose of this study was to assess the acceptability of a companion dog walking intervention compared to an attention control education intervention in adult ICU survivors.
A prospective, single-masked (participant), two-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted. Adult ICU survivors who owned a companion dog were recruited from two acute care hospitals prior to being discharged home. Those enrolled were assigned to an eight-week companion dog walking intervention or an attention control education intervention. Intervention acceptability was assessed using Sekhon et al.’s (2017) theoretical framework of acceptability.
Of the 2,191 ICU patients identified and screened, 210 met eligibility criteria, 25 verbalized interest, 10 enrolled, and 5 completed the full study. Participants reported excitement prior to participating and that they chose to participate in the study because of their dog. Participants in both groups reported overall positive responses on the acceptability survey. Physical limitations restricted participants assigned to the dog walking group from completing the study and/or their assigned dog walking sessions.
Future research should explore the acceptability and efficacy of companion dog activities of varying physical activity levels. Nurses are in an ideal position to assess for and encourage physically appropriate engagement between patients and their companion dogs. Overall, companion dogs have the potential to be an acceptable complementary intervention for ICU survivors struggling with the complex impact of PICS.
Notes
References:
Geense, W. W., Boogaard, M. v. d., Hoeven, J. G. v. d., Vermeulen, H., Hannink, G. J., & Zegers, M. (2019). Nonpharmacologic interventions to prevent or mitigate adverse long-term outcomes among ICU survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Care Medicine, 47(11), 1607-1618. https://doi.org/10.1097/ CCM.0000000000003974
Nelson, L., Lasiter, S., & Emerson, A. (2024). The impact of companion dogs on depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder in adult ICU survivors: A scoping review. People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 7(1). https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/paij/vol7/iss1/14
Sekhon, M., Cartwright, M., & Francis, J. J. (2017). Acceptability of healthcare interventions: An overview of reviews and development of a theoretical framework. BMC Health Services Research, 17(1), 88-88. https://doi.org/ 10.1186/s12913-017-2031-8
Yuan, C., Timmins, F., & Thompson, D. R. (2021). Post-intensive care syndrome: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 114, 103814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103814
Yuan, C., Timmins, F., & Thompson, D. R. (2021). Post-intensive care syndrome: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 114, 103814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103814
Sigma Membership
Lambda Phi
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Intensive Care Unit Survivors, Post Intensive Care Syndrome, Companion Dog Walking
Recommended Citation
Nelson, Lindsey, "Acceptability of Companion Dog Walking to Improve the Well-Being of Intensive Care Unit Survivors" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 152.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/152
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Acceptability of Companion Dog Walking to Improve the Well-Being of Intensive Care Unit Survivors
Seattle, Washington, USA
Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors are at risk for developing post intensive care syndrome (PICS), the physical, cognitive, psychological, and/or social conditions that persist after hospital discharge (Yuan et al., 2021). Current approaches aimed at addressing PICS tend to employ a singular focus on physical health; prevention and treatment strategies focused on the holistic needs of ICU survivors that extend beyond the confines of formal settings and into the community and home are needed (Geense et al., 2019).
A complementary intervention not previously explored in the ICU survivor population is companion dog walking. Companion dogs have been linked to improved psychological, physical, and social health in their owners, and research suggests companion dogs may be most beneficial to human mental health when owners share intentional and engaging activities with their dog (Nelson et al., 2024).
The purpose of this study was to assess the acceptability of a companion dog walking intervention compared to an attention control education intervention in adult ICU survivors.
A prospective, single-masked (participant), two-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted. Adult ICU survivors who owned a companion dog were recruited from two acute care hospitals prior to being discharged home. Those enrolled were assigned to an eight-week companion dog walking intervention or an attention control education intervention. Intervention acceptability was assessed using Sekhon et al.’s (2017) theoretical framework of acceptability.
Of the 2,191 ICU patients identified and screened, 210 met eligibility criteria, 25 verbalized interest, 10 enrolled, and 5 completed the full study. Participants reported excitement prior to participating and that they chose to participate in the study because of their dog. Participants in both groups reported overall positive responses on the acceptability survey. Physical limitations restricted participants assigned to the dog walking group from completing the study and/or their assigned dog walking sessions.
Future research should explore the acceptability and efficacy of companion dog activities of varying physical activity levels. Nurses are in an ideal position to assess for and encourage physically appropriate engagement between patients and their companion dogs. Overall, companion dogs have the potential to be an acceptable complementary intervention for ICU survivors struggling with the complex impact of PICS.
Description
Intensive care unit (ICU) survivors need innovative holistic strategies to facilitate their health and wellbeing. The acceptability of a companion dog walking intervention compared to an attention control education intervention for ICU survivors was assessed and will be discussed.