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Seeger L, Kübler A, Hilger K. Drop-out rates in animal-assisted psychotherapy - Results of a quantitative meta-analysis. BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39101511 DOI: 10.1111/bjc.12492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Animal-assisted psychotherapy is an emerging field with great potential and growing popularity. However, empirical research on its effectiveness is insufficient, and consistent evidence about patients' commitment is missing. The present meta-analysis addresses this gap by systematically comparing drop-out rates in animal-assisted psychotherapy and by relating the resulting across study drop-out rate to across study drop-out rates reported in meta-analyses on conventional psychotherapy. METHOD Fifty-seven studies published until August 2022 were identified as eligible for meta-analytic comparison, that is, they conducted animal-assisted psychotherapy on at least one group of psychiatric patients and reported drop-out rates. Potential moderating influences of the type of animal and patients' disorder were considered, as well as multiple other demographic and study design variables. RESULTS The across study drop-out rate in animal-assisted psychotherapy was 11.2%. This was significantly lower than the across meta-analyses drop-out rate of conventional psychotherapy (d = -.45, p = .0005). Although effects of moderator variables could not be evaluated statistically due to too small and heterogeneous data sets, descriptive results suggest influences of the type of animal and patient disorder. However, study quality ratings identified serious shortcomings regarding proper research design, most critically concerning the report of effect size measures, the use of standardized intervention plans and Open Science practices. CONCLUSION Drop-out constitutes a major problem of psychotherapeutic research and practice. By proposing that the inclusion of an animal in the psychotherapeutic setting can enhance patients' commitment and by outlining challenges and opportunity of animal-assisted psychotherapy, this meta-analysis offers a starting point for future research in this evolving field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Seeger
- Department of Psychology I, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Kübler
- Department of Psychology I, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kirsten Hilger
- Department of Psychology I, Würzburg University, Würzburg, Germany
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Song M, Zhang C, Yang S, Lu J, Sun T, Li H, Tang L, Dai K, Liu C, Meng H, Wang J. Animal healer for refractory diseases: Myth or reality? Heliyon 2024; 10:e33056. [PMID: 39027544 PMCID: PMC11255451 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A vast amount of knowledge has been acquired through human activities such as farming, hunting, and fishing. Throughout history, humans have utilized living creatures for disease treatment, relying on the natural world's healing powers. The special "healers" may be able to treat patients via the power of nature. However, there was no systematic introduction or summary of these treatments. Therefore, we conducted a literature review based on PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI and WanFang DATA. Here, we defined this unique method as "animal healer" and six common kinds of animal healers were reviewed. These are fish therapy, pet therapy, worm therapy, leech therapy, maggot therapy, and bee therapy. According to the different characteristics of healers, treatment methods mainly included bite, parasitism, contact and communication. With the advantages of green and effectiveness, animal healers have great therapy potential against a variety of refractory diseases. The main purpose of this review is to draw people's attention to animal healer, promote it to become a possible clinical treatment strategy, and make further exploration in species cultivation, mechanism research, animal welfare, standard setting, safety evaluation and other aspects. In the future, animal healers will play an increasingly important role in medicine and hopefully solve more medical problems and dilemmas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhi Song
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Changru Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Simengge Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jialin Lu
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Tianze Sun
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Heyue Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seventh People's Hospital of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Tang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kerong Dai
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Southwest Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaozong Liu
- Institute of Orthopaedic & Musculoskeletal Science, University College London, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - He Meng
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinwu Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Southwest Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Perry DJ, Crawford SL, Mackin JM, Averka JJ, Smelson DA. The feasibility of wildlife immersion experiences for Veterans with PTSD. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1290668. [PMID: 38872808 PMCID: PMC11170146 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1290668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) offer potential physical and psychological health benefits that may assist Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, more feasibility studies are needed regarding intervention details, adverse events, reasons for study withdrawal, and animal welfare. Methods This mixed methods feasibility trial involved a modified crossover study in which Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms were provided a series of 8 nature and wildlife immersion experiences to evaluate feasibility and preliminary efficacy. The sample included 19 Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms who were followed for a mean of 15.1 weeks. The intervention was comprised of a baseline forest walk, assisting with wildlife rehabilitation, observation in a wildlife sanctuary, and bird watching. Post study bird feeders were provided for sustainability. Results This AAI nature/wildlife immersion intervention was feasible, acceptable, and safe to administer to Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms with appropriate support. Logistical and relational facilitators were identified that supported the wildlife immersion activities. Participants reported greatly enjoying the activities. Attention to animal welfare and care was an important ethical foundation that also contributed to feasibility. Discussion AAI immersion experiences with wildlife are feasible and can safely be administered to Veterans with PTSD/PTSD symptoms. Logistical and relational facilitators are important to support nature and wildlife immersion activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna J. Perry
- Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sybil L. Crawford
- Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Jesse J. Averka
- Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - David A. Smelson
- Department of Psychiatry, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Nichol B, McCready J, Erfani G, Comparcini D, Simonetti V, Cicolini G, Mikkonen K, Yamakawa M, Tomietto M. Exploring the impact of socially assistive robots on health and wellbeing across the lifespan: An umbrella review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2024; 153:104730. [PMID: 38430662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2024.104730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socially assistive robots offer an alternate source of connection for interventions within health and social care amidst a landscape of technological advancement and reduced staff capacity. There is a need to summarise the available systematic reviews on the health and wellbeing impacts to evaluate effectiveness, explore potential moderators and mediators, and identify recommendations for future research and practice. OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of socially assistive robots within health and social care on psychosocial, behavioural, and physiological health and wellbeing outcomes across the lifespan (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023423862). DESIGN An umbrella review utilising meta-analysis, narrative synthesis, and vote counting by direction of effect. METHODS 14 databases were searched (ProQuest Health Research Premium collection, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, ASM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore, Cochrane Reviews, and EPISTEMONIKOS) from 2005 to May 4, 2023. Systematic reviews including the effects of socially assistive robots on health outcomes were included and a pooled meta-analysis, vote counting by direction of effect, and narrative synthesis were applied. The second version of A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) was applied to assess quality of included reviews. RESULTS 35 reviews were identified, most focusing on older adults with or without dementia (n = 24). Pooled meta-analysis indicated no effect of socially assistive robots on quality of life (standard mean difference (SMD) = 0.43), anxiety (SMD = -0.02), or depression (SMD = 0.21), although vote counting identified significant improvements in social interaction, mood, positive affect, loneliness, stress, and pain across the lifespan, and narrative synthesis identified an improvement in anxiety in children. However, some reviews reported no significant difference between the effects of socially assistive robots and a plush toy, and there was no effect of socially assistive robots on psychiatric outcomes including agitation, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and medication use. DISCUSSION Socially assistive robots show promise for improving non-psychiatric outcomes such as loneliness, positive affect, stress, and pain, but exert no effect on psychiatric outcomes such as depression and agitation. The main mechanism of effect within group settings appeared to be the stimulation of social interaction with other humans. Limitations include the low quality and high amount of overlap between included reviews. CONCLUSION Socially assistive robots may help to improve loneliness, social interaction, and positive affect in older adults, decrease anxiety and distress in children, and improve mood, stress, and reduce pain across the lifespan. However, before recommendations for socially assistive robots can be made, a cost-effectiveness analysis of socially assistive robots to improve mood across the lifespan, and a quantitative analysis of the effects on pain, anxiety, and distress in children are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bethany Nichol
- Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Jemma McCready
- Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Goran Erfani
- Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
| | - Dania Comparcini
- Section of Nursing, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | | | - Giancarlo Cicolini
- Section of Nursing, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | - Kristina Mikkonen
- Research Unit of Health Science and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Miyae Yamakawa
- Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita City, Japan.
| | - Marco Tomietto
- Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Research Unit of Health Science and Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
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Arnskötter W, Martin S, Walitza S, Hediger K. Effects of including a dog on treatment motivation and the therapeutic alliance in child and adolescent psychotherapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:26. [PMID: 38183121 PMCID: PMC10768352 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07854-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motivation and a therapeutic alliance are crucial for successful therapy. It is assumed that dogs can increase motivation and help support therapeutic relationships. This is one of the reasons for including dogs in psychotherapy. While the positive effects of psychotherapy with dogs have been documented over the past years, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of animal-assisted psychotherapy. This study therefore aims to investigate whether and how the presence of a dog affects motivation and the therapeutic alliance in child and adolescent psychotherapy. METHODS The study is a randomized controlled trial assessing motivation and the therapeutic alliance during the first five sessions of psychotherapy attended by children and adolescents with different psychiatric disorders. We will recruit 150 children and adolescents and randomly assign them to one of three conditions: (a) a dog is present but not integrated in the therapeutic narrative, (b) a dog is actively integrated in the therapeutic narrative, and (c) no dog is present. The children's and adolescents' evaluations of the therapeutic alliance and of their motivation will be assessed as the primary outcomes using standardized questionnaires before and after the first five therapy sessions as well as at follow-up. Further outcomes include the therapists' evaluations of the therapeutic alliance and their motivation, treatment adherence of the children and adolescents, and treatment satisfaction of the children and adolescents, their parents, and of the therapists. Interventions are conducted by experienced therapists who regularly work with their dogs. Outcomes will be analyzed using general linear models, with the treatment group as a fixed factor and the baseline values as covariates. DISCUSSION This study provides information on the possible motivation and alliance-enhancing effects of integrating a dog into child and adolescent psychotherapy. This is relevant for practice, as these two components are strong predictors of therapy outcome. Moreover, the study will contribute to a better understanding of how a dog should be incorporated into psychotherapeutic settings. This can lead to a more purposeful inclusion of dogs in psychotherapy for children and adolescents. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05384808, on 20 May 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suzanne Martin
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Walitza
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hediger
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Heerlen, Netherlands
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Kim J, Kim YK. The Potential and Challenges of Virtual Reality as an Adjunctive Treatment of Depression Patients. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1456:293-305. [PMID: 39261435 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-4402-2_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) is a promising supplemental or alternative approach for treating depression. Focusing on the unique affordances of VR, such as immersive therapeutic settings and uniform treatment delivery, this study explores both the current applications and future potential of VR technology in treating and assessing depression. VR provides users with an "immersive" and "presence" experience through multisensory stimulation. VR is an emerging paradigm in healthcare, particularly in psychiatric treatment, and presents compelling possibilities for its role in therapeutic interventions by facilitating realistic and controlled environments for both clinicians and patients. VR technology offers promising advancements in augmenting traditional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) methods for treating depression, with applications in psychoeducation, behavioral activation, and cognitive restructuring. Various VR assessment techniques including biomarkers and machine learning have been discussed in this study. Although the field remains experimental, the immersive nature of VR holds the potential for more personalized and accurate therapeutic interventions and assessments. Further research is required for definitive conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhyung Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong-Ku Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Chute A, Vihos J, Johnston S, Buro K, Velupillai N. The effect of animal-assisted intervention on undergraduate students' perception of momentary stress. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1253104. [PMID: 38187421 PMCID: PMC10766810 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1253104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Student mental wellness is a priority in higher education. Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs') are gaining momentum in universities across North America (Dell et al., 2015). Aims This study explored the relationships between AAIs', demographic variables, and perceived momentary stress among university students. Methods Using a descriptive correlational design, students completed a Perceived Momentary Stress questionnaire that included the Stress Numerical Rating Scale-11 (Stress NRS-11) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to measure perceived stress before and after AAIs'. Data were analyzed using R (4.1.2) (R Core Team, Vienna, Austria) to identify relationships between students' perceptions of momentary stress, AAIs' and sociodemographic and demographic variables. Results First-year students, female students, and students identifying as sexual minorities were found to benefit the most from AAIs'. Conclusion Results from this study reflect relationships between exposure to animal-assisted interventions and student demographic variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Chute
- Department of Nursing Foundations, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jill Vihos
- Faculty of Nursing, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sharon Johnston
- Department of Nursing Science, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Karen Buro
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Nirudika Velupillai
- Department of Mathematics and Science, MacEwan University, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Imamura S, Gozu Y, Tsutsumi M, Hayashi K, Mori C, Ishikawa M, Takada M, Ogiso T, Suzuki K, Okabe S, Kikusui T, Kajiya K. Higher oxytocin concentrations occur in subjects who build affiliative relationships with companion robots. iScience 2023; 26:108562. [PMID: 38162035 PMCID: PMC10757042 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Building affiliative relationships with others is important for mental health. Recently, robots have been expected to play a role in improving mental health, but there is little scientific evidence as to whether they can build affiliative relationships with humans. To investigate that, we conducted studies combining behavior, physiology and questionnaires for companion robot Owners and Non-Owners. The results reveal that the steady-state concentration of oxytocin, a hormone related to affiliative relationships, was significantly higher in Owners than in Non-Owners. In addition, the Owners showed more behaviors indicative of intimacy than the Non-Owners. These results suggest that humans can build affiliative relationships with robots. Fifteen minutes of contact with the robot decreased the concentration of cortisol in both groups, suggesting that even a brief contact can contribute to improving mental health. Therefore, relationships between humans and robots may be one option to improve mental health and enhance well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Imamura
- MIRAI Technology Institute, Shiseido Co., Ltd., 1-2-11, Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0011, Japan
| | - Yoko Gozu
- MIRAI Technology Institute, Shiseido Co., Ltd., 1-2-11, Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0011, Japan
| | - Moe Tsutsumi
- MIRAI Technology Institute, Shiseido Co., Ltd., 1-2-11, Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0011, Japan
| | - Kaname Hayashi
- GROOVE X, Inc., 3-42-3, Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0007, Japan
| | - Chiaki Mori
- GROOVE X, Inc., 3-42-3, Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0007, Japan
| | - Megumi Ishikawa
- GROOVE X, Inc., 3-42-3, Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0007, Japan
| | - Megumi Takada
- GROOVE X, Inc., 3-42-3, Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0007, Japan
| | - Tomotaka Ogiso
- GROOVE X, Inc., 3-42-3, Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0007, Japan
| | - Keiko Suzuki
- GROOVE X, Inc., 3-42-3, Nihonbashi-Hamacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0007, Japan
| | - Shota Okabe
- Division of Brain and Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-shi, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Department of Veterinary Science, Azabu University, 1-17-71, Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kajiya
- MIRAI Technology Institute, Shiseido Co., Ltd., 1-2-11, Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0011, Japan
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Goyal T, Kalra N, Tyagi R, Khatri A, Sabherwal P, Yangdol P. Evidence-based analysis of multi-pronged approaches for education and behavior management of autistic patients in a dental setting. SPECIAL CARE IN DENTISTRY 2023; 43:856-868. [PMID: 37080902 DOI: 10.1111/scd.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition which has posed a challenge to carers, pediatricians and dentists through the years. Over the last four decades, the disorder has been better understood and management techniques have evolved. In the field of dentistry, the autistic child presents difficulty in management, even for the simplest dental procedures. A comprehensive understanding of other psychoeducational and behavioral approaches to manage autism is very important. This article aims to introduce various important key techniques such as Applied Behavior Analysis, TEACCH, Sensory Adapted Dental Environment, Picture Exchange Communication System, and Animal Assisted Therapy and analyze their application in dentistry. METHODS A search of literature was carried out in Clinicaltrials.gov, Medline and Scopus with the search terms "Applied Behavior Analysis," "TEACCH," "Sensory Adapted Dental Environment," "Picture Exchange Communication System," and "Animal Assisted Therapy" along with "autism OR autistic," "dental OR dentistry OR oral health." After the screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 eligible articles were included, in English, published within the last 10 years. RESULTS Limited research was available regarding these lesser-known behavioral approaches in dentistry. The few that were available showed encouraging results. The different techniques proved useful in increasing acceptance of dental treatment and reducing behavioral disturbances. The patients experienced reduced dental anxiety, lesser discomfort, improved communication, and knowledge. CONCLUSION Pediatric and special care dentists are likely to benefit by incorporating the recommended comprehensive behavior management techniques in their practice. There is evidence that these techniques will reduce behavioral disturbances in autistic children thereby making primary dental care possible without the need for sedation or general anesthesia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tavisha Goyal
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Namita Kalra
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Rishi Tyagi
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Amit Khatri
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Puja Sabherwal
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Padma Yangdol
- Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, University College of Medical Sciences, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
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Lee SJ, Kim GH, Moon YH, Lee SS. A Text-Mining Analysis of Research Trends in Animal-Assisted Therapy. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3133. [PMID: 37835738 PMCID: PMC10571978 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Text-mining techniques were used to provide basic data to related policy stakeholders and academic researchers by collecting and analyzing research trends related to animal-mediated healing in a short time. A total of 776 studies were collected using the keyword "animal-assisted therapy" (AAT) in the search engine PubMed, which covers a wide range of topics related to health sciences, biomedical research, and health psychology. Four analysis methods were employed. "Dog" was the most commonly utilized animal in AAT. This study also identified individuals with autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder as the primary research participants. Finally, the terms "health care" and "blood pressure" were identified, indicating that AAT has a positive impact on improving blood pressure and enhancing heart rate. These findings demonstrate that AAT research is being actively pursued in various fields, such as social sciences, medicine, and psychology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ja Lee
- University-Centered Labs, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju-si 52828, Republic of Korea;
| | - Geun-Hyeon Kim
- Jeonju City Council Legislative Policy Division, Wansangu Nosonggwangjang-ro 10, Jeollabuk-do, Jeonju-si 54994, Republic of Korea;
| | - Yea-Hwang Moon
- Division of Animal Bioscience and Integrated Biotechnology, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju-si 52725, Republic of Korea;
| | - Sung-Sill Lee
- University-Centered Labs, Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju-si 52828, Republic of Korea;
- Division of Applied Life Science (BK21), Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju-si 52828, Republic of Korea
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Kiesewetter J, Herbach N, Landes I, Mayer J, Elgner V, Orle K, Grunow A, Langkau R, Gratzer C, Jansson AF. Dog assisted education in children with rheumatic diseases and adolescents with chronic pain in Germany. GMS JOURNAL FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION 2023; 40:Doc44. [PMID: 37560047 PMCID: PMC10407579 DOI: 10.3205/zma001626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Objectives Animal assisted intervention is an increasingly accepted tool to improve human well-being. The present study was performed to assess whether dog assisted education has a positive effect on children suffering from rheumatic disorders with pain and adolescents with chronic pain syndrome. Design Two groups of juvenile patients were recruited: 7-17-year-old children in children with rheumatic diseases and adolescents with chronic pain syndromes. Overall, n=26 participated in the intervention, and n=29 in the control group. Setting The intervention group met once a month, 12 times overall, for working with man trailing dogs in various locations. Main outcome measures The influence of dog assisted education on quality of life (PedsQLTM Scoring Algorithm), pain intensity, perception, coping (Paediatric Pain Coping Inventory-Revised), and state anxiety (State Trait Anxiety Inventory) was assessed. Results The quality of life increased significantly in the investigated period, but for both, the intervention and the control group. The state anxiety of children was lower after the dog assisted education than before. After the dog training sessions, state anxiety was 18% to 30% lower than before the intervention. Some participants noted subjectively improved pain coping and changes in pain perception, which were not found in the data. Conclusion Our results indicate that for children with rheumatic diseases and adolescents with chronic pain syndromes dog assisted education (1) might lead to an increase of the quality of life, (2) leads to decreased state anxiety from pre to post intervention and (3) does not influence pain perception, frequency and intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kiesewetter
- Klinikum der LMU München, Institute for Medical Education, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Verena Elgner
- eo ipso Strategie & Entwicklung GmbH, Krailling, Germany
| | - Karin Orle
- eo ipso Strategie & Entwicklung GmbH, Krailling, Germany
| | | | | | - Christine Gratzer
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Munich, Germany
| | - Annette F. Jansson
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Munich, Germany
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12
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Shimizu N, Yamazaki C, Asano K, Ohe S, Ishida M. Non-randomized controlled trial examining the effects of livestock on motivation and anxiety in patients with chronic psychiatric disorders. SAGE Open Med 2023; 11:20503121231175291. [PMID: 37251360 PMCID: PMC10214043 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231175291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Patients with chronic schizophrenia exhibit negative symptoms, including decreased work motivation. Animal-assisted therapy programs have been reported to benefit such patients; hence, there is a possibility that sheep-rearing, rather than conventional employment training, may motivate these patients. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a one-day experiential learning program of sheep-rearing on the work motivation and anxiety of patients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods Fourteen patients were included in a non-randomized controlled trial conducted between August 2018 and October 2018. The patients' participation in the sheep-rearing experiential learning (one day; intervention day) and normal day care (one day; control day) programs were compared. The salivary cortisol and testosterone levels and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores of the patients were analyzed. Results The patients' salivary testosterone was significantly higher on the intervention day (p = 0.04) than on the control day (p = 0.02). Their salivary cortisol was lower on the control day than on the intervention day, although the difference was not significant. Regression analysis was performed based on the change in salivary cortisol levels and STAI-Trait scores (p = 0.006), and a regression equation was established. Conclusions The study revealed that participation in sheep-rearing may have promoted the testosterone production but did not increase anxiety in patients with schizophrenia. Additionally, regression equations for salivary cortisol levels in such patients may provide information on individual differences in anxiety levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuko Shimizu
- Faculty of Nursing, Toyama Prefectural
University, Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Chika Yamazaki
- Faculty of Nursing, Toyama Prefectural
University, Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Keigo Asano
- Faculty of Bioresources and
Environmental Sciences, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi, Ishikawa,
Japan
| | - Shingo Ohe
- Faculty of Nursing, Ishikawa
Prefectural Nursing University, Kahoku, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Motohiko Ishida
- Scientific Cooperation Centre for
Industry Academia and Government, Ishikawa Prefectural University, Nonoichi,
Ishikawa, Japan
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Plett O, Flasbeck V, Brüne M. Effects of human and animal-assisted skills training on oxytocin und cortisol levels in patients with borderline personality disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 162:156-160. [PMID: 37156130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterised, among other symptoms, by emotional instability and difficulties in regulating proximity to significant others. Many with BPD have difficulties in establishing a trustful therapeutic relationship, which often develop before a background of adverse childhood experiences with caregivers. One way to facilitate therapeutic interaction in psychotherapy incorporates pet animals as "door openers". No study exists, however, that has examined the effect of animal-assisted versus human-guided skills training on neurobiological correlates of affiliation and stress regulation, i.e. oxytocin and cortisol. METHODS Twenty in-patients diagnosed with BPD were recruited to participate in an animal-assisted skills-training. Another 20 in-patients participated in a human-guided skills-training. Salivary samples of both groups were taken for determining oxytocin and cortisol before and immediately after 3 therapeutic sessions at least one week apart from one another. In addition, borderline symptom severity (BSL-23), impulsivity (BIS-15), alexithymia (TAS-20), and fear of compassion (FOCS) were determined by self-rating questionnaires before and after the 6-week interventions. RESULTS Both therapeutic interventions led to a significant reduction in cortisol and an (non-significant) increase in oxytocin, respectively. Importantly, there was a statistically significant interaction between changes in cortisol and oxytocin, independent of group. Both groups further showed clinical improvement as measured using the above-listed questionnaires. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that both animal-assisted and human-guided interventions have measurable short-term effects on affiliative and stress hormones, with no approach being superior to the other in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Plett
- LWL University Hospital Bochum, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr University, 44791, Bochum, NRW, Germany
| | - Vera Flasbeck
- LWL University Hospital Bochum, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr University, 44791, Bochum, NRW, Germany
| | - Martin Brüne
- LWL University Hospital Bochum, Division of Social Neuropsychiatry and Evolutionary Medicine, Ruhr University, 44791, Bochum, NRW, Germany.
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14
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Peel N, Nguyen K, Tannous C. The Impact of Campus-Based Therapy Dogs on the Mood and Affect of University Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4759. [PMID: 36981667 PMCID: PMC10048764 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
University students experience a high level of stress, which could potentially affect how they manage stressful situations beyond university, such as when entering the workforce. Although universities offer counseling services and various health promotion programs, there is reluctance and negative perceptions about utilizing these from students. Further research is needed to explore the effectiveness of therapy dog interventions in human interactions that is quantifiable and embraces the elements of health promotion. This study aimed to investigate the impact of therapy dog interventions on students' moods across a multi-campus university during a 2-week final examination period. Two hundred and sixty-five students participated in the study involving a multi-campus university. The intervention group and control group completed a questionnaire involving the positive affect negative affect schedule (PANAS), a 20-item scale that measures a person's affect at the time. The intervention group (n = 170) had a higher average of total PANAS scores (mean = 77.63, standard deviation = 10.975) compared to the control group (n = 95) (mean = 69.41, standard deviation = 13.442). The results were statistically significant (mean difference = 8.219, 95% CI = 5.213-11.224, p < 0.05) with a t-score of 5.385. Students who engaged with therapy dogs on campus during the examination period were more likely to have a more positive affect. The results suggest that universities should include therapy dog programs within their health promotion programs for students, as these may help improve their mood and reduce the stress associated with university examinations.
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15
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Huber A, Klug SJ, Abraham A, Westenberg E, Schmidt V, Winkler AS. Animal-Assisted Interventions Improve Mental, But Not Cognitive or Physiological Health Outcomes of Higher Education Students: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Int J Ment Health Addict 2022; 22:1-32. [PMID: 36406903 PMCID: PMC9666958 DOI: 10.1007/s11469-022-00945-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to the high burden of mental health issues among students at higher education institutions world-wide, animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are being used to relieve student stress. The objective of this study was to systematically review of the effects of AAIs on the mental, physiological, and cognitive outcomes of higher education students. Randomized controlled trials using any unfamiliar animal as the sole intervention tool were included in this review. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool. Where possible, effect sizes (Hedges' g) were pooled for individual outcomes using random-effects meta-analyses. Albatross plots were used to supplement the data synthesis. Of 2.494 identified studies, 35 were included. Almost all studies used dogs as the intervention animal. The quality of most included studies was rated as moderate. Studies showed an overall reduction of acute anxiety and stress. For other mental outcomes, studies showed smaller, but nonetheless beneficial effects. Studies showed no clear effect on physiological or cognitive outcomes. Strong methodological heterogeneity between studies limited the ability to draw clear conclusions. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11469-022-00945-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalena Huber
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie J. Klug
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Annette Abraham
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Erica Westenberg
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronika Schmidt
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrea S. Winkler
- Department of Neurology, Center for Global Health, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Centre for Global Health, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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16
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Hediger K, Marti R, Urfer V, Schenk A, Gutwein V, Dörr C. Effects of a Dog-Assisted Social- and Emotional-Competence Training for Prisoners: A Controlled Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10553. [PMID: 36078276 PMCID: PMC9518512 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has called for improving psychological interventions and developing new treatments for prisoners. Animal-assisted prison-based programmes have increasingly been used as an approach, but there is a lack of studies investigating the effectiveness of such programmes. OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of a dog-assisted social- and emotional-competence training on the socioemotional competences of prisoners compared to treatment as usual. METHODS In a controlled trial, we investigated 62 prisoners that participated in either a 6-month dog-assisted psychotherapeutic programme or the standard treatment. We assessed social and emotional competences before and after the training and at a 4-month follow-up. Data were analysed with linear models. RESULTS The prisoners' self-assessed social and emotional competences did not differ. The psychotherapists rated the prisoners' emotional competences in the intervention group higher at the follow-up but not after the training. The psychotherapists did not rate the prisoners' social competences in the intervention group differently but did find them to have higher self-regulation at follow-up and lower aggressiveness after the training than the control group. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that dog-assisted programmes with a therapeutic aim might be beneficial for prisoners. However, the inconsistent results indicate that more research is needed to determine the potential and limits of animal-assisted programmes in forensic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Hediger
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Animal-Assisted Interventions, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 62, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Human and Animal Health Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute Basel, Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
- Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Postbus 2960, 6401 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Human-Animal Interaction (IEMT), Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Rahel Marti
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Animal-Assisted Interventions, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 62, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Human-Animal Interaction (IEMT), Kreuzstrasse 2, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Vivien Urfer
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Animal-Assisted Interventions, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 62, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Armin Schenk
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Animal-Assisted Interventions, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 62, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Christine Dörr
- Department of Corrections Bruchsal, Schönbornstrasse 32, 76646 Bruchsal, Germany
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17
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Animal-assisted activities in the intensive care unit: A scoping review. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 2022; 73:103304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2022.103304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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18
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Teo JT, Johnstone SJ, Römer SS, Thomas SJ. Psychophysiological mechanisms underlying the potential health benefits of human-dog interactions: A systematic literature review. Int J Psychophysiol 2022; 180:27-48. [PMID: 35901904 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
While the symbiotic nature of human-dog relationships and perceived benefits to human health have attracted much scientific interest, the mechanisms through which human-dog interactions may confer health benefits to humans are still poorly understood. The aim of this systematic literature review was to synthesize evidence of physiological changes associated with human-dog interactions with relevance to human health. Electronic databases were systematically searched (PubMed, MEDLINE with full text, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, and Web of Science Core Collection) for relevant studies. Of the 13,072 studies identified, 129 met the inclusion criteria, with approximately half being randomized trials (Level 2) based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine level system. Measures employed to study human physiological changes associated with human-dog interactions most commonly involved cardiac parameters and hormones, with negligible research of brain activity. The main positive findings were increases in heart rate variability and oxytocin, and decreases in cortisol with human-dog interactions. These physiological indicators are consistent with activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) and oxytocinergic system (OTS), and down-regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. These results provide evidence of specific pathways through which human-dog contact may confer health benefits, likely through relaxation, bonding, and stress reduction. However, these findings should be interpreted contextually due to limitations and methodological differences. Previous research using other biological variables was limited in quantity and quality, thus impeding firm conclusions on other possible mechanisms. Further research is needed in some psychophysiological domains, particularly electroencephalography, to better understand central nervous system (CNS) effects. The findings of this review have implications for human-dog interactions to positively affect several stress-sensitive physiological pathways and thus confer health benefits. This supports their incorporation in various clinical, non-clinical, and research settings to develop evidence-based interventions and practices for cost-effective and efficacious ways to improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian T Teo
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Stuart J Johnstone
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Stephanie S Römer
- School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Susan J Thomas
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, 2522, Australia.
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Cass K, Bocklage C, Sulkowski T, Graves C, Ghaltakhchyan N, Rapolla A, Jackson T, Divaris K, Wiesen C, Strauman T, Jacox L. Patient and Caregiver Perceptions of Animal Assisted Activity in Orthodontics. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:1862. [PMID: 35883412 PMCID: PMC9312150 DOI: 10.3390/ani12141862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dental anxiety affects up to 21% of children and 80% of adults and is associated with lifelong dental avoidance. Animal assisted activity (AAA) is widely used to reduce anxiety and pain in medical settings and has promise in dentistry. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate caregiver and patient perceptions of canine AAA in orthodontics. A cross-sectional survey consisting of pre-tested and validated questions was conducted (n = 800) including orthodontic patients (n = 352 minors, n = 204 adults) and parents/caregivers (n = 244) attending university orthodontic clinics. In this study, AAA and dog therapy were not used or tested for dental anxiety management. More than a third of orthodontic patients (37%) had moderate or greater anxiety related to care. Participants believed that therapy animals would make dental experiences more enjoyable (75%) and reduce anxiety (82%). There was little to no concern expressed regarding cleanliness (83%), allergies (81%), and safety (89%) with a therapy animal in dental settings. Almost half of the participants would preferentially select an orthodontic office offering AAA. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed whether perceptions of AAA changed before and after the shutdown of dental offices, with no significant differences. Across patients and caregivers, the responses support the use of AAA in orthodontic settings with minimal concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn Cass
- Orthodontics Group, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 270 Brauer Hall, CB #270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (K.C.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (N.G.); (A.R.); (T.J.)
- Summers Orthodontics, 4207 E North St, Greenville, SC 29615, USA
| | - Clare Bocklage
- Orthodontics Group, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 270 Brauer Hall, CB #270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (K.C.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (N.G.); (A.R.); (T.J.)
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 385 S Columbia St, CB #7455, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Taylor Sulkowski
- Orthodontics Group, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 270 Brauer Hall, CB #270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (K.C.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (N.G.); (A.R.); (T.J.)
| | - Christina Graves
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 385 S Columbia St, CB #7455, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Nare Ghaltakhchyan
- Orthodontics Group, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 270 Brauer Hall, CB #270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (K.C.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (N.G.); (A.R.); (T.J.)
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 385 S Columbia St, CB #7455, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Allen Rapolla
- Orthodontics Group, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 270 Brauer Hall, CB #270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (K.C.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (N.G.); (A.R.); (T.J.)
| | - Tate Jackson
- Orthodontics Group, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 270 Brauer Hall, CB #270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (K.C.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (N.G.); (A.R.); (T.J.)
| | - Kimon Divaris
- Division of Pediatric and Public Health, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 385 S Columbia St, CB #7455, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Chris Wiesen
- Howard W. Odum Institute for Research in Social Science, Davis Library, University of North Carolina, 208 Raleigh St, CB #3355, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA;
| | - Timothy Strauman
- Psychology and Neuroscience Department, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, Duke University, 417 Chapel Dr, CB #90086, Durham, NC 27514, USA;
| | - Laura Jacox
- Orthodontics Group, Division of Craniofacial and Surgical Care, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 270 Brauer Hall, CB #270, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; (K.C.); (C.B.); (T.S.); (N.G.); (A.R.); (T.J.)
- Division of Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, Adams School of Dentistry, University of North Carolina, 385 S Columbia St, CB #7455, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
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20
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Aggarwal S, Aggarwal R, Sodhi MK, Aggarwal S. Psycho-Social Effects of Pet Dog Ownership on Mentally Challenged Children. Cureus 2022; 14:e26389. [PMID: 35923680 PMCID: PMC9339342 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.26389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Mental retardation is a social stigma and children affected by this condition always require love and compassion. Pets have a positive role in human life to relieve stress and anxiety. Pets are therefore considered to be a very important aspect of psychological therapy. Those children who are suffering from mental retardation have to be given regular stress and anxiety-relieving sessions. Hence this study aims to analyze the psychosocial effects of pet dog ownership on mentally challenged children. Methodology: A total of 112 children were included in the study and were counseled at the Department of Pediatrics, District Hospital, Amritsar. Twenty patients were lost to follow up and pet ownership materialized in 52 patients. The study was divided into 2 groups, the compliant group (n=52) and the non-compliant group (n=40). Hamilton anxiety scale (HAM-A) was applied to all the children before pet dog ownership (PRE) and after 3-6 months with a pet dog (POST). The pre and post-scores of all the children were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis. Results: The HAM-A score before pet ownership was comparable, before pet ownership (p=.825), but after 3-6 months of pet ownership significant difference was observed between compliant and non-compliant groups (p<.001). Also, the HAM-A score in children with mild mental retardation (mild MR) and moderate mental retardation (moderate MR) was significantly less than the non-compliant group after 3-6 months. We also observed that the decrease in the anxiety levels was comparable in children who owned local breeds and foreign breeds. Conclusion: This short-term follow-up research highlights the potential advantages of keeping a companion dog for youngsters with mental problems in terms of improving their lives. Many of these long-term gains might be attributed to lessening tensions within families.
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21
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Effect of human-dog interaction on therapy dog stress during an on-campus student stress buster event. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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22
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Carey B, Dell CA, Stempien J, Tupper S, Rohr B, Carr E, Cruz M, Acoose S, Butt P, Broberg L, Collard L, Fele-Slaferek L, Fornssler C, Goodridge D, Gunderson J, McKenzie H, Rubin J, Shand J, Smith J, Trask J, Ukrainetz K, Meier S. Outcomes of a controlled trial with visiting therapy dog teams on pain in adults in an emergency department. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262599. [PMID: 35263346 PMCID: PMC9064456 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Pain is a primary reason individuals attend an Emergency Department (ED), and its management is a concern. OBJECTIVES Change in symptoms and physiologic variables at 3 time points pre-post a ten-minute St. John Ambulance therapy dog team visit compared to no visit in ED patients who experienced pain. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Using a controlled clinical trial design, pain, anxiety, depression and well-being were measured with the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (revised version) (ESAS-r) 11-point rating scales before, immediately after, and 20 minutes post- therapy dog team visit with Royal University Hospital ED patients participating in the study (n = 97). Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at the time points. Control data was gathered twice (30 minutes apart) for comparison (n = 101). There were no group differences in age, gender or ethnicity among the control and intervention groups (respectively mean age 59.5/57.2, ethnicity 77.2% Caucasian/87.6%, female 43.6% /39.2%, male 56.4%/60.8%,). INTERVENTION 10 minute therapy dog team visit in addition to usual care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Change in reported pain from pre and post therapy dog team visit and comparison with a control group. RESULTS A two-way ANOVA was conducted to compare group effects. Significant pre- post-intervention differences were noted in pain for the intervention (mean changeint. = -0.9, SD = 2.05, p = .004, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.42, 1.32], ηp2 = 04) but not the control group. Anxiety (mean changeint. = -1.13, SD = 2.80, p = .005, 95% CI = [0.56, 1.64], ηp2 = .04), depression (mean changeint. = -0.72, SD = 1.71, p = .002, 95% CI = [0.39, 1.11], ηp2 = .047), and well-being ratings (mean changeint. = -0.87, SD = 1.84, p < .001, 95% CI = [0.49, 1.25], ηp2 = .07) similarly improved for the intervention group only. There were no pre-post intervention differences in blood pressure or heart rate for either group. Strong responders to the intervention (i.e. >50% reduction) were observed for pain (43%), anxiety (48%), depression (46%), and well-being (41%). CONCLUSIONS Clinically significant changes in pain as well as significant changes in anxiety, depression and well-being were observed in the therapy dog intervention compared to control. The findings of this novel study contribute important knowledge towards the potential value of ED therapy dogs to affect patients' experience of pain, and related measures of anxiety, depression and well-being. TRIAL REGISTRATION This controlled clinical trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number NCT04727749.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Carey
- Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Canada
| | - Colleen Anne Dell
- Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - James Stempien
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Canada
| | - Susan Tupper
- Quality, Safety & Standards, Saskatchewan Health Authority,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Betty Rohr
- Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Canada
| | - Eloise Carr
- Faculty of Nursing University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta,
Canada
| | - Maria Cruz
- Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Canada
| | - Sharon Acoose
- School of Indigenous Social Work, First Nations University of Canada,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Peter Butt
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Canada
| | - Lindsey Broberg
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Canada
| | - Lisa Collard
- Emergency Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Canada
| | | | - Cathie Fornssler
- Saskatchewan Centre for Patient Oriented Research, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Donna Goodridge
- College of Nursing & Respirology, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine,
University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Janet Gunderson
- Saskatchewan Centre for Patient Oriented Research, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Holly McKenzie
- Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Canada
| | - Joe Rubin
- Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jason Shand
- Clinical Analyst, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,
Canada
| | - Jane Smith
- St. John Ambulance, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jason Trask
- Emergency Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, Saskatoon,
Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Kerry Ukrainetz
- Saskatchewan Centre for Patient Oriented Research, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Simona Meier
- Clinical Research Professional Clinical Trial Support Unit, University of
Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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Dalton KR, Campbell P, Altekruse W, Thorpe RJ, Agnew J, Ruble K, Carroll KC, Davis MF. A conceptual framework to address administrative and infection control barriers for animal-assisted intervention programs in healthcare facilities: Perspectives from a qualitative study. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2022; 43:531-533. [PMID: 33487205 PMCID: PMC7870901 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R. Dalton
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Peter Campbell
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Roland J. Thorpe
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jacqueline Agnew
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kathy Ruble
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, BaltimoreMaryland
| | - Karen C. Carroll
- Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Meghan F. Davis
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Exploring the therapeutic opportunities, challenges and psychological mechanisms of integrating dogs into psychological therapies with adults. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2022; 47:101564. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Beck AJ, Barber T, McKenzie H, Thorlakson J, Dell C, Keeping-Burke L. Perceptions and experiences of health care professionals and staff with animal-assisted interventions in health care settings: a qualitative systematic review protocol. JBI Evid Synth 2022; 20:924-930. [PMID: 35019870 DOI: 10.11124/jbies-21-00151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to examine the perceptions and experiences of health care professionals and staff in implementing or coordinating animal-assisted interventions in health care settings. INTRODUCTION Animal-assisted interventions are applied in the areas of health, education, and human services to help improve individuals' health and wellness. The positive effects of animal-assisted interventions on individuals have been shown in multiple health disciplines from pediatrics to long-term care and include outcomes such as decreased feelings of loneliness and increased feelings of support. The increase of animal-assisted interventions in human health initiated growing research on health care professionals' perceptions and experiences of these interventions. No current qualitative systematic reviews have focused solely on health care professionals' and staff's perceptions of animal-assisted interventions. Conducting such a review will advance understanding of how these providers perceive and engage with animal-assisted interventions as well as their influence and role in coordinating these interventions. INCLUSION CRITERIA This review will consider qualitative primary studies that address the perceptions and experiences of health care professionals and staff in implementing or coordinating animal-assisted interventions in health care settings. Studies published from database inception to present and in English will be considered. METHODS Nine bibliographic databases will be systematically searched for published and unpublished studies by employing a three-step search strategy. Two reviewers will independently appraise the studies and extract qualitative data using the standardized JBI critical appraisal and data extraction instruments. Findings from the review will be categorized according to similarity in meaning and categories subjected to a meta-synthesis to produce a single comprehensive set of synthesized findings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER PROSPERO (CRD42021258909).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Beck
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Department of Sociology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada Cameron Science, Technology, and Business Library, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada Nursing and Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, NB, Canada The University of New Brunswick (UNB) Saint John Collaboration for Evidence-Informed Healthcare: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Saint John, NB, Canada
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Antonucci SM. Animal-Assisted Intervention in Speech-Language Pathology: Practical, Clinical, and Theoretical Considerations. Semin Speech Lang 2022; 43:1-7. [PMID: 35135018 PMCID: PMC10108850 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1741555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Interest in animal-assisted interventions within the field of communication sciences and disorders is growing. As more clinicians become interested in engaging in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) and more researchers begin to study its potential benefits, it will be critical for all stakeholders to demonstrate knowledge of the standards and qualifications for service delivery as well as the challenges that must be met in developing an evidence base for clinical practice. This review highlights some of the foundational information relevant to AAT in the context of speech-language pathology.
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Dalton KR, Altekruse W, Campbell P, Ruble K, Carroll KC, Thorpe RJ, Agnew J, Davis MF. Perceptions and Practices of Key Worker Stakeholder Groups in Hospital Animal-Assisted Intervention Programs on Occupational Benefits and Perceived Risks. PEOPLE AND ANIMALS (WEST LAFAYETTE, IN) 2022; 5:4. [PMID: 35765567 PMCID: PMC9235541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) programs, used widely for patient benefit, have increasingly been used for healthcare workers (HCW) to reduce occupational stress. However, there are barriers to these programs which limit their utilization, for both patients and HCW, specifically infectious disease concerns. The aim of the research project is to identify barriers and facilitators to AAI program use for healthcare worker benefit, and determine knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding infectious disease risk and control policies, in order to understand the contextual parameters of program implementation. METHODS We collected perceptions of key stakeholders involved with hospital AAI programs (HCW and AAI workers) through semi-structured in-depth interviews. We used framework analysis to guide thematic coding, completed independently by three researchers. RESULTS We interviewed 37 participants in this study. We divided our themes into two topic areas: program use for HCW and perceived infectious disease risk. Use for healthcare workers included perspectives on the benefits for HCW and program barriers and facilitators (specifically collaboration and leadership). Perceived risk included opinions on infection concerns with AAI, thoughts on control measures to reduce this risk, and responsibility for safety during these programs. CONCLUSIONS While significant benefits were reported for HCW, they were limited by administrative barriers and hazard concerns. Facilitators to surmount these barriers are best implemented with collaboration across the hospital and appropriate leadership roles to direct safe program implementation. By addressing these barriers through targeted facilitators in the form of evidence-backed guidelines, AAI programs can be used to benefit both patients and HCW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R. Dalton
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Baltimore Maryland
| | | | | | - Kathy Ruble
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Karen C. Carroll
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Roland J. Thorpe
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Jacqueline Agnew
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Baltimore Maryland
| | - Meghan F. Davis
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Baltimore Maryland
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Baltimore Maryland
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Otting TL, Chandler CK. Credibility of Human-Animal Relational Theory. JOURNAL OF CREATIVITY IN MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/15401383.2021.1987366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Parbery-Clark C, Lubamba M, Tanner L, McColl E. Animal-Assisted Interventions for the Improvement of Mental Health Outcomes in Higher Education Students: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:10768. [PMID: 34682513 PMCID: PMC8535789 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182010768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Interventions (AAIs), particularly Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) and Animal-Assisted Activity (AAA), in improving mental health outcomes for students in higher education. The number of students in higher education reporting mental health problems and seeking support from universities' student support services has risen over recent years. Therefore, providing engaging interventions, such as AAIs, that are accessible to large groups of students are attractive. METHODS MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched from relative inception to end of April 2020. Additionally, a grey literature search was undertaken. Independent screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment were completed, with varying percentages, by two reviewers. RESULTS After de-duplication, 6248 articles were identified of which 11 studies were included in the narrative synthesis. The evidence from randomised controlled trials suggests that AAIs could provide short-term beneficial results for anxiety in students attending higher education but with limited evidence for stress, and inconclusive evidence for depression, well-being and mood. For the non-statistically significant results, the studies either did not include a power calculation or were under-powered. CONCLUSIONS Potential emerging evidence for the short-term benefits of AAI for anxiety, and possibly stress, for students in higher education was found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Parbery-Clark
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; (M.L.); (L.T.); (E.M.)
- Newcastle City Council, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QH, UK
| | - Marvellas Lubamba
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; (M.L.); (L.T.); (E.M.)
| | - Louise Tanner
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; (M.L.); (L.T.); (E.M.)
| | - Elaine McColl
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; (M.L.); (L.T.); (E.M.)
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Santaniello A, Cimmino I, Dipineto L, Agognon AL, Beguinot F, Formisano P, Fioretti A, Menna LF, Oriente F. Zoonotic Risk of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in Animal-Assisted Interventions: Laboratory Strategies for the Diagnosis of Infections in Humans and Animals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9333. [PMID: 34501921 PMCID: PMC8430659 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of animals for therapeutic purposes has very ancient roots. To date, it is clear that animal-assisted interventions (AAIs), in addition to ensuring the replacement of missing or deficient affects, improves psychophysiological parameters connected to human health. However, AAI could potentially present risks related to the transmission of infectious agents from animals to humans. Among these microorganisms, E. cuniculi is a microspore which induces pathological effects (fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, breathlessness, respiratory symptoms, and weakness) in both humans and animals. Consequently, an accurate and fast diagnosis of E. cuniculi infection, as well as the identification of new diagnostic approaches, is of fundamental importance. This literature review was carried out to provide an extensive and comprehensive analysis of the most recent diagnostic techniques to prevent and care for E. cuniculi-associated risks in the AAI field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Santaniello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Federico II University of Naples, 80134 Naples, Italy; (L.D.); (A.F.)
| | - Ilaria Cimmino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy; (I.C.); (A.L.A.); (F.B.); (P.F.); (F.O.)
| | - Ludovico Dipineto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Federico II University of Naples, 80134 Naples, Italy; (L.D.); (A.F.)
| | - Ayewa Lawoe Agognon
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy; (I.C.); (A.L.A.); (F.B.); (P.F.); (F.O.)
| | - Francesco Beguinot
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy; (I.C.); (A.L.A.); (F.B.); (P.F.); (F.O.)
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy; (I.C.); (A.L.A.); (F.B.); (P.F.); (F.O.)
| | - Alessandro Fioretti
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Federico II University of Naples, 80134 Naples, Italy; (L.D.); (A.F.)
| | - Lucia Francesca Menna
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Productions, Federico II University of Naples, 80134 Naples, Italy; (L.D.); (A.F.)
| | - Francesco Oriente
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy; (I.C.); (A.L.A.); (F.B.); (P.F.); (F.O.)
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Filugelli L, Contalbrigo L, Toson M, Normando S. The successful therapy dog: An insight through a Delphi consultation survey among Italian experts. J Vet Behav 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Feng Y, Lin Y, Zhang N, Jiang X, Zhang L. Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Hospitalized Children and Teenagers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Pediatr Nurs 2021; 60:11-23. [PMID: 33582447 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2021.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PROBLEM Psychological and symptom disturbances seriously affect hospitalized children's subjective experiences of hospitalization and their prognosis. We systematically reviewed the effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on pain, anxiety, depression, stress, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) in hospitalized children and teenagers. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using the English-language electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, Science Direct, EBSCOhost, Open Grey and Google Scholar, and the Chinese databases CNKI, Sinomed, Vip, and WanFang. These databases were searched through July 15, 2020. SAMPLE Eight studies, including four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and four quasi-experimental studies were included, with a total of 348 participants. RESULTS Hospitalized children and teenagers with AAT had less pain (standardized mean difference = -0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.77 to -0.22; P < 0.001), lower systolic blood pressure (mean difference [MD] = -4.85; 95% CI, -9.50 to -0.21; P= 0.04), higher diastolic blood pressure (MD = 4.95; 95% CI, 1.90 to 8.00; P = 0.001) than controls, while there was no significant difference in depression, anxiety, stress, or HR. CONCLUSION As an adjuvant to traditional treatment, AAT was beneficial for controlling pain and BP in hospitalized children and teenagers. IMPLICATION AAT may be an effective strategy for relieving pain and controlling BP in hospitalized children and teenagers, especially those with cancer. High-quality RCTs conducted or supported by nurses on the effects of AAT are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yeqing Lin
- Research Management Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China.
| | | | | | - Lifeng Zhang
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, China.
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Artemiou E, Hutchison P, Machado M, Ellis D, Bradtke J, Pereira MM, Carter J, Bergfelt D. Impact of Human-Animal Interactions on Psychological and Physiological Factors Associated With Veterinary School Students and Donkeys. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:701302. [PMID: 34497840 PMCID: PMC8420806 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.701302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been an increased interest in evaluating human-animal interactions and assessing the mutual health and wellbeing. In this study, first-year female and male veterinary school students not paired (n = 58) or paired (n = 25) with immature (≤9 mo) donkeys (n = 13) were engaged in three different types of interactions (1st, hands-off remote learning, 2nd, hands-on passive learning, and 3rd, hands-on active learning) for 30 min each during Week 2 (Time 1), Weeks 5-8 (Time 2), and Week 12 (Time 3) over three, 15-week periods. Student psychological data involved the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) scores collected from the interactive (student-donkey pairs) and non-interactive (no student-donkey pairs) groups and modified Comfort from Companion Animals Scale (CCAS) scores collected from the interactive group during Times 1, 2, and 3. Donkey physiological data involved collection of saliva within 10 min pre- and post-interaction during Times 1, 2, and 3 in association with the different types of interactions for immunoanalysis of cortisol. There were no significant effects of the various times and types of interactions on CCAS scores. While there were no significant effects of group and types of interactions on PSWQ scores, there was an effect (P = 0.01) of time. Overall mean PSWQ scores were significantly lower during Week 12 versus Week 2. Correspondingly, while there were no effects pre- vs. post-interaction within or among times on saliva cortisol concentrations in donkeys, there was an effect (P = 0.02) of the type of interaction. Mean concentrations were significantly lower with the hands-on passive and hands-on active learning versus the hands-off remote learning. In conclusion, while this study provides preliminary evidence surrounding student donkey interactions, future studies are required with more comprehensive designs to clarify these benefits and better understand the advantages and challenges surrounding student-donkey interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elpida Artemiou
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | | | - Marcus Machado
- Research Laboratory, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Daria Ellis
- Ross University School of Medicine, Miramar, FL, United States
| | - Jennifer Bradtke
- Counseling Center, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Mary Mauldin Pereira
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Julia Carter
- Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Don Bergfelt
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
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Methodological and institutional considerations for the use of 360-degree video and pet animals in human subject research: An experimental case study from the United States. Behav Res Methods 2021; 53:977-992. [PMID: 32918168 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-020-01458-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Head-mounted virtual-reality headsets and virtual-reality content have experienced large technological advances and rapid proliferation over the last years. These immersive technologies bear great potential for the facilitation of the study of human decision-making and behavior in safe, perceptually realistic virtual environments. Best practices and guidelines for the effective and efficient use of 360-degree video in experimental research is also evolving. In this paper, we summarize our research group's experiences with a sizable experimental case study on virtual-reality technology, 360-degree video, pet animals, and human participants. Specifically, we discuss the institutional, methodological, and technological challenges encountered during the implementation of our 18-month-long research project on human emotional response to short-duration 360-degree videos of human-pet interactions. Our objective in this paper is to contribute to the growing body of research on 360-degree video and to lower barriers related to the conceptualization and practice of research at the intersection of virtual-reality experiences, 360-degree video, live animals, and human behavior. Practical suggestions for human-subject researchers interested in utilizing virtual-reality technology, 360-degree videos, and pet animals as a part of their research are discussed.
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Kim S, Nam Y, Ham MJ, Park C, Moon M, Yoo DH. Neurological Mechanisms of Animal-Assisted Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease: A Hypothetical Review. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:682308. [PMID: 34335229 PMCID: PMC8317687 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.682308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible neurodegenerative brain disorder with aggregation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau as the pathological hallmarks. AD is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by a progressive decline of cognition. The failure of pharmacological approaches to treat AD has resulted in an increased focus on non-pharmacological interventions that can mitigate cognitive decline and delay disease progression in patients with AD. Animal-assisted intervention (AAI), a non-pharmacological intervention, improves emotional, social, and cognitive dysfunction in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, AAI is reported to mitigate the effects of cognitive impairment in patients with AD. Despite the positive effects of AAI on cognitive dysfunction in patients with AD, there have been no studies on how AAI affects AD-related pathologies. This review postulates potential neurological mechanisms of emotional or social interaction through AAI in countering AD-related pathologies, such as Aβ deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and impaired adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), and proposes insights for future research by organizing accumulated previous evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
- Research Institute for Dementia Science, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yunkwon Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Min-Joo Ham
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Chisoo Park
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Minho Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
- Research Institute for Dementia Science, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Doo-Han Yoo
- Research Institute for Dementia Science, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Konyang University, Daejeon, South Korea
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McMichael MA, Singletary M. Assistance, Service, Emotional Support, and Therapy Dogs. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2021; 51:961-973. [PMID: 34059267 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
This article focuses on the areas where harnessing the canine's trainability, mobility, and sociability enables their use for aiding and augmenting humans. This area, which is rapidly expanding, has provided life-changing solutions for persons affected by various impairments and disabilities (eg, visual, hearing, physical, mental).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen A McMichael
- Emergency & Critical Care, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA; Carle-Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois.
| | - Melissa Singletary
- Canine Performance Sciences Program, Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, 109 Greene Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
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Van Buiten H, Flynn E, Morris KN. Dog training as a complementary intervention to support Veteran mental health and well-being: A scoping review. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2021; 44:101425. [PMID: 34174750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2021.101425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Military veterans in the United States face a number of complex issues and barriers to successful civilian reintegration. Dog training programs offered to these individuals are being used as a complementary intervention to support multiple aspects of veteran reintegration. This scoping review explored the existing literature on dog training programs as a support for veteran mental health and well-being. METHODS A scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines to analyze the existing research on this topic. RESULTS Five overarching themes were identified, including improvements to mental health, social benefits, a developed sense of purpose, differing impacts of training methods, and potential negative outcomes associated with stressful demands of training. CONCLUSION The results of this review suggested dog training programs have potentially positive effects on veteran mental health but also revealed a few potential negative impacts and the need for further research on this animal-assisted intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Van Buiten
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, USA.
| | - Erin Flynn
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, USA.
| | - Kevin N Morris
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, USA.
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Dalton KR, Ruble K, Redding LE, Morris DO, Mueller NT, Thorpe RJ, Agnew J, Carroll KC, Planet PJ, Rubenstein RC, Chen AR, Grice EA, Davis MF. Microbial Sharing between Pediatric Patients and Therapy Dogs during Hospital Animal-Assisted Intervention Programs. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1054. [PMID: 34068292 PMCID: PMC8153335 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9051054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial sharing between humans and animals has been demonstrated in a variety of settings. However, the extent of microbial sharing that occurs within the healthcare setting during animal-assisted intervention programs is unknown. Understanding microbial transmission between patients and therapy dogs can provide important insights into potential health benefits for patients, in addition to addressing concerns regarding potential pathogen transmission that limits program utilization. This study evaluated for potential microbial sharing between pediatric patients and therapy dogs and tested whether patient-dog contact level and a dog decolonization protocol modified this sharing. Patients, therapy dogs, and the hospital environment were sampled before and after every group therapy session and samples underwent 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize microbial communities. Both patients and dogs experienced changes in the relative abundance and overall diversity of their nasal microbiome, suggesting that the exchange of microorganisms had occurred. Increased contact was associated with greater sharing between patients and therapy dogs, as well as between patients. A topical chlorhexidine-based dog decolonization was associated with decreased microbial sharing between therapy dogs and patients but did not significantly affect sharing between patients. These data suggest that the therapy dog is both a potential source of and a vehicle for the transfer of microorganisms to patients but not necessarily the only source. The relative contribution of other potential sources (e.g., other patients, the hospital environment) should be further explored to determine their relative importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R. Dalton
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (J.A.); (M.F.D.)
| | - Kathy Ruble
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (K.R.); (A.R.C.)
| | - Laurel E. Redding
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA;
| | - Daniel O. Morris
- Department of Clinical Sciences & Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Noel T. Mueller
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Roland J. Thorpe
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Jacqueline Agnew
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (J.A.); (M.F.D.)
| | - Karen C. Carroll
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Microbiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
| | - Paul J. Planet
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Ronald C. Rubenstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Pulmonary Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA;
| | - Allen R. Chen
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (K.R.); (A.R.C.)
| | - Elizabeth A. Grice
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Meghan F. Davis
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (J.A.); (M.F.D.)
- Johns Hopkins Medicine, Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Harper NJ, Fernee CR, Gabrielsen LE. Nature's Role in Outdoor Therapies: An Umbrella Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5117. [PMID: 34065947 PMCID: PMC8150931 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective: To report on the role of nature in outdoor therapies through review and summary of existing systematic and meta-analytic reviews in an effort to articulate a theoretical framework for practice. Materials and methods: An umbrella review was conducted following systematic protocols PRISMA guidelines. Results: Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and represented five self-identified approaches: nature-based therapies, forest therapy, horticultural therapy, wilderness therapy, and adventure therapy. Clear and comprehensive descriptions of theory, program structure, and activity details with causal links to outcomes were mostly absent. Conclusions: A rigorous and determined program of research is required in order to explicit in-depth theories of change in outdoor therapies. Conversely, or maybe concurrently, a holistic theory of integrated relatedness may be developed as a parallel expression of support for nature in therapy while the explanatory science catches up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevin J. Harper
- Faculty of Human & Social Development, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
- Sørlandet Sykehus, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway; (C.R.F.); (L.E.G.)
| | - Carina R. Fernee
- Sørlandet Sykehus, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway; (C.R.F.); (L.E.G.)
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Woehler E, Akers L. Repairing the Trauma Bonds of Sex Trafficking Victim-Survivors with Animal-Assisted Therapy. JOURNAL OF CREATIVITY IN MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/15401383.2021.1921646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Buijs A, Jacobs M. Avoiding negativity bias: Towards a positive psychology of human-wildlife relationships. AMBIO 2021; 50:281-288. [PMID: 33026581 PMCID: PMC7782602 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-020-01394-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Recently, new approaches to wildlife management are being developed, such as coexistence management and convivial conservation. These approaches aim to shift management practices from mitigating human-wildlife conflicts towards cohabitation and explore mutual benefits. To align empirical research to these new approaches, we argue for the relevance of positive psychology theory to inspire and structure research into the benefits of human-wildlife interactions. Positive psychology suggests three pathways through which human-wildlife interactions may lead to happiness and well-being: pleasure, engagement, and meaning. Applying these pathways to human-wildlife research may (i) structure existing research into the benefits of human-wildlife interactions, (ii) disclose unidentified benefits of human-wildlife interactions, and (iii) unravel mechanisms which make experiencing and protecting wildlife worthwhile and rewarding. Also, we suggest a potential feedback loop between wildlife experiences, happiness and well-being, and pro-environmental behaviours. More in-depth research into these mechanisms may improve our understanding of attitudes towards conservation of wildlife and its habitat and may suggest strategies to strengthen stewardship actions and public support for conservation strategies. Together, these strands of research could initiate research into what could be called a "Positive Ecology".
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjen Buijs
- Forest and Nature Conservation Policy Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Jacobs
- Cultural Geography Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PG Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Cryer S, Henderson-Wilson C, Lawson J. Pawsitive Connections: The role of Pet Support Programs and pets on the elderly. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2020; 42:101298. [PMID: 33401185 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study describes the experiences of Pet Support Program clients in Melbourne, Australia and how the programs reduce the social isolation of the elderly. The study also describes the role of pets and associated health benefits of pet ownership. METHOD The qualitative description study comprised of two phases: a secondary data analysis of interviews with 14 PSP clients, and key informant interviews with four PSP providers. RESULTS The interviews were thematically analysed which resulted in three interconnected themes: Attachment, Support and Social Isolation. Social isolation was reduced by the PSP through access to social support groups, as well as the provision of a regular visitor who provides meaningful conversation and companionship. CONCLUSION These results align with literature on pet ownership and Attachment Theory. The results also offer an insight into how PSPs allow the elderly to maintain pet ownership and age in place, thus enhancing their health and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cryer
- Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.
| | | | - Justin Lawson
- Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.
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Effects of Dog-Based Animal-Assisted Interventions in Prison Population: A Systematic Review. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112129. [PMID: 33207818 PMCID: PMC7697666 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal-assisted interventions, in concrete dog-assisted intervention, have been introduced in prisons to reduce recidivism as well as to improve the well-being of prisoners. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review is to provide an up-to-date analysis of the research on the effects of dog-based animal-assisted therapy in prison population. METHODS An electronic search of the literature was performed, and 20 articles were included. The PRISMA guideline methodology was employed. RESULTS Included studies involved a total of 1577 participants. The vast majority of protocols included activities related with dog training, dog caring, or activities, which included vocational or educational components. Duration of dog-based therapies ranged between 60 and 120 min, with the frequency being between 1 and 3 days/week. Statistically significant improvements in prisoners were observed in 13 studies. CONCLUSIONS Dog-based animal-assisted therapy may improve anxiety, stress, recidivism, and other social variables in male or female inmates.
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Edwards A, Edwards C, Abendschein B, Espinosa J, Scherger J, Vander Meer P. Using robot animal companions in the academic library to mitigate student stress. LIBRARY HI TECH 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/lht-07-2020-0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to interrogate the relationship between self-reported levels of acute stress, perceived social support and interactions with robot animals in an academic library. The authors hypothesized that (1) participants would report lower stress and higher positive affect after their interaction with a robot support animal and (2) perceived supportiveness of the robot support animal would positively predict the amount of stress reduction the participants reported.Design/methodology/approachThe authors hosted a robot petting zoo in the main library at a mid-sized Midwestern university during finals week. Participants were asked to rate their stress level prior to interacting with the robot pets (T1) and then after their interaction they were asked about their current stress level and the perceived supportiveness of the robot animal (T2). Data were analyzed using paired samples t-tests for the pretest and post-test scores.FindingsThe results showed a significant decrease in acute stress between T1 to T2, as well as a significant increase in happiness and relaxation. Participants reported feeling less bored and less tired after their interactions with the robot support animals. The findings also reveal that the degree to which individuals experienced a reduction in stress was influenced by their perceptions of the robot animal's supportiveness. Libraries could consider using robot pet therapy.Originality/valueThis study reveals the benefit of robot support animals to reduce stress and increase happiness of those experiencing acute stress in a library setting. The authors also introduce the concept of socially supportive contact as a type of unidirectional social support.
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Rodrigo-Claverol M, Malla-Clua B, Marquilles-Bonet C, Sol J, Jové-Naval J, Sole-Pujol M, Ortega-Bravo M. Animal-Assisted Therapy Improves Communication and Mobility among Institutionalized People with Cognitive Impairment. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E5899. [PMID: 32823839 PMCID: PMC7459682 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Disorders of communication, social relationships, and psychomotricity are often characterized by cognitive impairment, which hinders daily activities and increases the risk of falls. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in an institutionalized geriatric population with cognitive impairment. The variables evaluated included level of communication and changes in gait and/or balance. We performed a two-arm, parallel controlled, open-label, nonrandomized cluster clinical trial in two nursing home centers from an urban area. Patients in the two centers received 12 weekly sessions of physiotherapy, but the experimental group included AAT with a therapy dog. The study included a total of 46 patients (23 Control Group [CG], 23 Experimental Group [EG]) with a median age of 85.0 years. Of these, 32.6% had mild-moderate cognitive decline (Global Deterioration Scale of Reisberg [GDS] 2-4) and 67.4% severe cognitive decline (GDS 5-6). After the intervention, patients in the CG and EG showed a statistically significant improvement in all the response variables. When comparing both groups, no statistically significant differences were found in any of the Tinetti scale results (measuring gait and balance). However, the communication of patients in the EG, measured on the Holden scale, showed a statistically significant greater improvement postintervention than that of patients in the CG. AAT can be useful as a complementary, effective treatment for patients with different degrees of cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maylos Rodrigo-Claverol
- Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain; (B.M.-C.); (C.M.-B.); (J.J.-N.)
- Ilerkan Association, 25005 Lleida, Spain;
| | - Belén Malla-Clua
- Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain; (B.M.-C.); (C.M.-B.); (J.J.-N.)
| | - Carme Marquilles-Bonet
- Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain; (B.M.-C.); (C.M.-B.); (J.J.-N.)
| | - Joaquim Sol
- Research Support Unit Lleida, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (J.S.); (M.O.-B.)
- Institut Català de la Salut, Atenció Primària, 25007 Lleida, Spain
- Metabolic Physiopathology Research Group, Experimental Medicine Department, Lleida University-Lleida Biochemical Research Institute (UdL-IRBLleida), 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Júlia Jové-Naval
- Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain; (B.M.-C.); (C.M.-B.); (J.J.-N.)
- Ilerkan Association, 25005 Lleida, Spain;
| | | | - Marta Ortega-Bravo
- Research Support Unit Lleida, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (J.S.); (M.O.-B.)
- Institut Català de la Salut, Atenció Primària, 25007 Lleida, Spain
- Research Group in Therapies in Primary Care, Research Support Unit Lleida, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08007 Barcelona, Spain
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Kovács G, van Dijke A, Enders-Slegers MJ. Psychodynamic Based Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Adults with Intertwined Personality Problems and Traumatization: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17165661. [PMID: 32764468 PMCID: PMC7460234 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17165661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The growing field of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), a subfield of animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP), needs theoretically-based clinical studies. This systematic review examines the existing clinical studies in adult populations on psychodynamic psychotherapy combined with equine-assisted psychotherapy. An electronic database search was divided in two studies to identify publications on 1) EAP combined with psychodynamic psychotherapy and 2) EAP combined to personality problems and traumatization in order to compile studies by population, intervention, outcome and therapeutic assets. Study 1 revealed no relevant clinical studies on EAP with a psychodynamic background with an adult population. Study 2 revealed 12 publications to review predominantly addressing veterans with PTSD. The methodological limitations of most of the studies restrain the overall findings on outcome. However, overall positive effects for EAP, specifically on its experiential features and on finding interpersonal trust for patients, can be discerned. There is an apparent need for clinical studies meeting methodological standards on psychodynamic underpinned EAP methodologies in adults with intertwined personality problems and traumatization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Géza Kovács
- Faculty of Psychology, Open University, Valkenburgerweg 177, 6419 AT Heerlen, The Netherlands;
- SPEL Psychologen Putten, Garderenseweg 158, 3881 NE Putten, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek van Dijke
- Online poli’s I-psy psyQ Brijder, Parnassia Group, Schipholpoort 20, 2034 MA Haarlem, The Netherlands;
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Flynn E, Denson EB, Mueller MK, Gandenberger J, Morris KN. Human-animal-environment interactions as a context for youth social-emotional health and wellbeing: Practitioners' perspectives on processes of change, implementation, and challenges. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2020; 41:101223. [PMID: 32823146 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human-animal-environment interactions (HAEIs) are increasingly used in interventions for youth with psychosocial challenges, yet research is limited. Staff from an exemplary program that use HAEIs have unique perspectives on the processes involved in youth outcomes. The aim of this study was to elucidate processes of change that may underly HAEIs and key implementation considerations. MATERIALS AND METHODS A phenomenological approach was used to ascertain HAEI staff perspectives of how they have seen HAEIs impact youth. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 24 staff at a mental health treatment program that utilizes HAEIs. RESULTS Six themes were identified, including views that HAEIs had challenges, afforded youth with valuable opportunities, improved mood, facilitated relationships and self-regulation, and strengthened self-conception. CONCLUSION Findings will inform program development; and future research to assess mediating variables and best practices in implementation of HAEIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Flynn
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 South High Street, Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
| | - Emma Brandl Denson
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 South High Street, Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
| | - Megan K Mueller
- Tufts Institute for Human-Animal Interaction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, 200 Westboro Rd, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
| | - Jaci Gandenberger
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 South High Street, Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
| | - Kevin N Morris
- Institute for Human-Animal Connection, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 South High Street, Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
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Hartwig EK. Advancing the Practice of Animal-Assisted Counseling Through Measurable Standards. JOURNAL OF CREATIVITY IN MENTAL HEALTH 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/15401383.2020.1792382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Park S, Bak A, Kim S, Nam Y, Kim HS, Yoo DH, Moon M. Animal-Assisted and Pet-Robot Interventions for Ameliorating Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8060150. [PMID: 32498454 PMCID: PMC7345589 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8060150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with dementia suffer from psychological symptoms such as depression, agitation, and aggression. One purpose of dementia intervention is to manage patients’ inappropriate behaviors and psychological symptoms while taking into consideration their quality of life (QOL). Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) and pet-robot intervention (PRI) are effective intervention strategies for older people with cognitive impairment and dementia. In addition, AAI and PRI have been shown to have positive effects on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). However, studies into the association between AAI/PRI and BPSD have elicited inconsistent results. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate this association. We analyzed nine randomized controlled trials on AAI and PRI for dementia patients published between January 2000 and August 2019 and evaluated the impact of AAI/PRI on agitation, depression, and QOL. We found that AAI and PRI significantly reduce depression in patients with dementia. Subsequent studies should investigate the impact of AAI and PRI on the physical ability and cognitive function of dementia patients and conduct a follow-up to investigate their effects on the rate of progression and reduction of symptoms of dementia. Our research will help with neuropsychological and environmental intervention to delay or improve the development and progression of BPSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangki Park
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Konyang University, 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Korea;
| | - Ahream Bak
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Jeonju Kijeon College, 267, Jeonjucheonseo-ro, Wansan-gu, Junju 54989, Korea;
| | - Sujin Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Korea; (S.K.); (Y.N.); (H.s.K)
| | - Yunkwon Nam
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Korea; (S.K.); (Y.N.); (H.s.K)
| | - Hyeon soo Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Korea; (S.K.); (Y.N.); (H.s.K)
| | - Doo-Han Yoo
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Konyang University, 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Korea;
- Correspondence: (D.-H.Y.); ; (M.M.); Tel.: +82-42-600-8414 (D.-H.Y.); +82-42-600-8691 (M.M.)
| | - Minho Moon
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Konyang University, 158, Gwanjeodong-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon 35365, Korea; (S.K.); (Y.N.); (H.s.K)
- Correspondence: (D.-H.Y.); ; (M.M.); Tel.: +82-42-600-8414 (D.-H.Y.); +82-42-600-8691 (M.M.)
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