Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42511012›Full record

ArticleAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI2026

Evaluating a Novel Cat-Assisted Training (CAT) Intervention for Youth with Developmental Disabilities and Their Family Cat.

Delaney H Frank, Saethra Darling, Kristen Moore, Kristyn R Vitale, Megan MacDonald, Monique A R Udell

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Delaney H FrankDepartment of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
Saethra DarlingDepartment of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
Kristen Moore4-H Youth Development, Oregon State University Extension Service, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
Kristyn R VitaleCat Behavior Research Group, Maueyes Cat Science and Education, Marquette, MI 49855, USA.
Megan MacDonaldCollege of Health, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-6909-2247
Monique A R UdellDepartment of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-2724-0771

Funding

The development and evaluation of a novel Cat Assisted Training (CAT) intervention for youth with developmental disabilities and their family catR21HD109853 · NICHD · OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY · PI MACDONALD, MEGAN I, UDELL, MONIQUE A · 2022 to 2023
$392k
NICHD NIH HHS R21 HD109853NIH HHS R21HD109853
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) for children with developmental disabilities (DD) have traditionally focused on dogs and horses, with less research on cat-centered AAIs. However, many potential AAI participants prefer, or only have access to, cats. The current Randomized Control Trial (RCT) study evaluated a novel Cat-Assisted Training (CAT) intervention designed to promote healthy behaviors in children, while also strengthening child-cat bonds. Participants included 36 children with DD (ages 8-17 years) and their family cats. Participating pairs were randomly assigned to either the CAT intervention (experimental) group or the waitlist control group. Feasibility was supported by 100% session attendance, a 94.4% post-intervention retention rate, and an 81% average homework completion rate. Participants in the CAT group reported increases in health-promoting activities, such as walking with their cat (

Indexed as

animal-assisted interventioncat–child bonddevelopmental disabilitiesdomestic cathuman–animal interaction

Identifiers

PMID42511012
PMCPMC13404458

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.