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

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

Inclusion Criteria:

* 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 Criteria:

* 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

Conditions3

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