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Recruiting NCT07356206

NCT07356206 Between Paws and Affections - Impact of Dog-Assisted Therapy in Fibromyalgia Patients

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT07356206
Status Recruiting
Phase
Sponsor University of Minho
Condition Fibromyalgia (FM)
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 60 participants
Start Date 2026-01-22
Primary Completion 2028-06-30

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age N/A
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
Behavioral: Dog Assisted Therapy (DAT - "Between Paws and Affections")Behavioral: Psychoeducation and Relaxation without Dogs (Control)

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

This trial targets 60 participants in total. It began in 2026-01-22 with a primary completion date of 2028-06-30.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief 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 Criteria

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

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Armando Almeida, Associate Professor

✉ aalmeida@med.uminho.pt

📞 +351 936615717

Principal Investigator

Armando Almeida, Associate Professor

STUDY CHAIR

School of Medicine, University of Minho

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT07356206 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Fibromyalgia (FM). Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

Is NCT07356206 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT07356206 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at aalmeida@med.uminho.pt for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT07356206 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Guimarães, Portugal.

Who is sponsoring the NCT07356206 clinical trial?

NCT07356206 is sponsored by University of Minho. The principal investigator is Armando Almeida, Associate Professor at School of Medicine, University of Minho. The trial plans to enroll 60 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: July 2026  ·  Data Methodology