scholarly journals Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Dog Behaviour: Pilot Study

Animals ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 141
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Hunt ◽  
Helen Whiteside ◽  
Susanne Prankel
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Office Environment ◽  
Dog Training ◽  
Pet Owners ◽  
Animal Rescue ◽  
Assistance Dog ◽  
Interactive Toy

Environmental enrichment (EE) can be used to enhance the environment of various animals. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the effects of seven EE activities (Bonding, Bubble machine, Conspecific play, Interactive toy, Playhouse, Stuffed food toy and Tug play) on dog behaviour, pre- and post-EE for dogs housed in an office environment during training as part of an assistance dog training programme. EE activities resulted in a significant increase in the frequency of relaxation behaviours (p < 0.01) and a significant reduction in alert (p < 0.01) and stress behaviours (p = 0.02). Results suggest various benefits of the different activities with Conspecific Play and Playhouse activities having the greatest overall positive behaviour change when compared to the other activities. The food-based EE activities (Interactive toy and Stuffed food toy) had the least behaviour change of all the activities provided. Findings will be of interest to pet owners, animal rescue centres, dog trainers and working dog organisations.

The Implementation and Effectiveness of an Assistance Dog Training Intervention for PTSD

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Alvarez ◽  
Rick Yount ◽  
Melissa Puckett ◽  
Caroline Wyman ◽  
Caitlin McLean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Intervention ◽  
Dog Training ◽  
Assistance Dog

scholarly journals Pushing up or pushing out—an initial investigation into horizontal- versus vertical-force training on swimming start performance: a pilot study

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e10937
Author(s):  
Shiqi Thng ◽  
Simon Pearson ◽  
Justin W.L. Keogh
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Resistance Training ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Deliberate Practice ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Concurrent Training ◽  
Training Intervention ◽  
Vertical Force ◽  
Squat Jump ◽  
Force Time

Background The block phase in the swimming start requires a quick reaction to the starting signal and a large take-off velocity that is primarily horizontal in direction. Due to the principle of specificity of training, there is a potential benefit of performing a greater proportion of horizontal force production exercises in a swimmers’ dry-land resistance training sessions. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to provide an insight into the effects of a horizontal- (HF) vs vertical-force (VF) training intervention on swim start performance. Methods Eleven competitive swimmers (six males (age 20.9 ± 1.8 years, body mass 77.3 ± 9.7 kg, height 1.78 ± 0.05 m) and five females (age 21.4 ± 2.0 years, body mass 67.5 ± 7.4 kg, height 1.69 ± 0.05 m)) completed 2 weekly sessions of either a horizontal- or vertical-force focused resistance training programme for 8 weeks. Squat jump force-time characteristics and swim start kinetic and kinematic parameters were collected pre- and post-intervention. Results Across the study duration, the swimmers completed an average of nine swimming sessions per week with an average weekly swim volume of 45.5 ± 17.7 km (HF group) and 53 ± 20.0 km (VF group), but little practice of the swim start per week (n = 9). Within-group analyses indicated a significant increase in predicted one repetition maximum (1RM) hip thrust strength in the HF group, as well as significant increases in grab resultant peak force but reductions in resultant peak force of the block phase for the VF group. No significant between-group differences in predicted 1RM hip thrust and back squat strength, squat jump force-time and swim start performance measures were observed after 8 weeks of training. Significant correlations in the change scores of five block kinetic variables to time to 5 m were observed, whereby increased block kinetic outputs were associated with a reduced time to 5 m. This may be indicative of individual responses to the different training programmes. Discussion The results of this current study have been unable to determine whether a horizontal- or vertical-force training programme enhances swim start performance after an 8-week training intervention. Some reasons for the lack of within and between group effects may reflect the large volume of concurrent training and the relative lack of any deliberate practice of the swim start. Larger samples and longer training duration may be required to determine whether significant differences occur between these training approaches. Such research should also look to investigate how a reduction in the concurrent training loads and/or an increase in the deliberate practice of the swim start may influence the potential changes in swim start performance.

Addressing Marine Wildlife Entanglement in Derelict Fishing Nets Using Community-Based Social Marketing: Case Study and Lessons Learnt

2021 ◽  
pp. 152450042110538
Author(s):  
Maïa Sarrouf Willson ◽  
Craig Turley ◽  
Lamees A. Daar ◽  
Hussein Al Masroori ◽  
Hussain Al Muscati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
Community Based ◽  
One To One ◽  
Marine Wildlife

Background Entanglement of marine species, particularly endangered sea turtles and cetaceans, in abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear is a major conservation concern. Focus of the Article This case study applies Community-Based Social Marketing (CBSM) to reduce marine wildlife net entanglement in the waters surrounding Masirah Island, a marine biodiversity hotspot in Oman. Importance to the Social Marketing Field The study demonstrates the use of social marketing tools in biodiversity conservation, bringing new knowledge to the cross-application of these two fields. Methods The CBSM methodology was applied to select behaviours, identify barriers and benefits, develop strategies and design a pilot study. The responsible disposal of derelict nets in skip bins was selected as the target behaviour, and a mix of behavioural change tools was applied to achieve change: convenience (installation of three skip bins), education (installation of informative signs, distribution of awareness posters, one-to-one engagement with fishers on the beaches), prompts (installation of signs and posters on vessels) and social norms (one-to-one engagement with key influencers and decision makers). The monitoring of behaviour change took place through structured observations over 23 weeks, focussing on the number of nets disposed of in the allocated skip bins. Results Results showed a low level of behaviour adoption rate by skiff and launch vessel fisheries, respectively, 5.36% and 2.58%. Positive results were observed for a short time but did not reach the estimated target value throughout the study period. Recommendations for Research Our pilot study did not lead to broad-scale implementation and we recommend further awareness and engagement with the target audience, trials of various behaviour change tools and increase field monitoring time. We further recommend the application and funding of behaviour change methods applied to fishers with the incorporation of conventional financial, conservation and regulatory tools to support resource management. Limitations Our results show that focussing on specific behaviours with appropriate measurement is both resource and time demanding to solve pressing conservation problems, particularly ones generated by complex industries such as fishing. Various lessons, useful for other social marketers, have been drawn from our evaluation of the overall study.

Effects of a practical training programme on burnout among professional caregivers in a care home for older adults with dementia: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 391-397
Author(s):  
María Á. Briones‐Peralta ◽  
Isabel Pardo‐García ◽  
Francisco Escribano‐Sotos
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Practical Training

scholarly journals A pilot study of the S-MAP (Solutions for Medications Adherence Problems) intervention for older adults prescribed polypharmacy in primary care: study protocol

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Patton ◽  
J. J. Francis ◽  
E. Clark ◽  
F. Smith ◽  
C. A. Cadogan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Process Evaluation ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Limited Effectiveness

Abstract Background Adhering to multiple medications as prescribed is challenging for older patients (aged ≥ 65 years) and a difficult behaviour to improve. Previous interventions designed to address this have been largely complex in nature but have shown limited effectiveness and have rarely used theory in their design. It has been recognised that theory (‘a systematic way of understanding events or situations’) can guide intervention development and help researchers better understand how complex adherence interventions work. This pilot study aims to test a novel community pharmacy-based intervention that has been systematically developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework (12-domain version) of behaviour change. Methods As part of a non-randomised pilot study, pharmacists in 12 community pharmacies across Northern Ireland (n = 6) and London, England (n = 6), will be trained to deliver the intervention to older patients who are prescribed ≥ 4 regular medicines and are non-adherent (self-reported). Ten patients will be recruited per pharmacy (n = 120) and offered up to four tailored one-to-one sessions, in the pharmacy or via telephone depending on their adherence, over a 3–4-month period. Guided by an electronic application (app) on iPads, the intervention content will be tailored to each patient’s underlying reasons for non-adherence and mapped to the most appropriate solutions using established behaviour change techniques. This study will assess the feasibility of collecting data on the primary outcome of medication adherence (self-report and dispensing data) and secondary outcomes (health-related quality of life and unplanned hospitalisations). An embedded process evaluation will assess training fidelity for pharmacy staff, intervention fidelity, acceptability to patients and pharmacists and the intervention’s mechanism of action. Process evaluation data will include audio-recordings of training workshops, intervention sessions, feedback interviews and patient surveys. Analysis will be largely descriptive. Discussion Using pre-defined progression criteria, the findings from this pilot study will guide the decision whether to proceed to a cluster randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of the S-MAP intervention in comparison to usual care in community pharmacies. The study will also explore how the intervention components may work to bring about change in older patients’ adherence behaviour and guide further refinement of the intervention and study procedures. Trial registration This study is registered at ISRCTN: 10.1186/ISRCTN73831533

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