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Doan T, Pennewitt D, Patel R. Animal assisted therapy in pediatric mental health conditions: A review. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2023; 53:101506. [PMID: 38040610 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2023.101506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Animal assisted therapy (AAT) has been explored as a treatment option for children with mental health disorders and associated symptoms. AAT can be implemented in inpatient, outpatient, and residential care settings. Some studies demonstrate significant improvement in symptom severity while others report only modest results. In this review, we summarize previous studies that have investigated the applications of AAT for pediatric mental health treatment, focusing on management of symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and internet gaming disorder. Current studies on AAT and mental health care tend to lack generalizability due to being single-site studies, and comparisons between studies are difficult because studies tend to adopt different definitions of AAT. Future studies examining the effects of AAT on mental health in general and on symptoms for specific conditions are needed before AAT is widely recommended for the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam Doan
- Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, USA.
| | - Deanna Pennewitt
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, USA
| | - Rohan Patel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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2
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Friedmann E, Gee NR, Simonsick EM, Kitner-Triolo MH, Resnick B, Adesanya I, Koodaly L, Gurlu M. Pet ownership and maintenance of cognitive function in community-residing older adults: evidence from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Sci Rep 2023; 13:14738. [PMID: 37679499 PMCID: PMC10484936 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41813-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Pet ownership has been associated with reduced deterioration in physical health as older adults age; little research focused on deterioration in cognitive function. We examine the relationship of pet, dog, cat ownership, and dog walking to changes in cognitive function among 637 generally healthy community-dwelling older adults (185 pet owners) aged 50-100 years (M = 68.3, SD = 9.6) within the BLSA. Cognitive assessments every 1-4 years over 1-13 years (M = 7.5, SD = 3.6) include the California Verbal Learning (Immediate, Short, Long Recall); Benton Visual Retention; Trail-Making (Trails A, B, B-A); Digit Span; Boston Naming (Naming); and Digit Symbol Substitution (Digit Symbol) Tests. In linear mixed models, deterioration in cognitive function with age was slower for pet owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short, Long Recall; Trails A,B,B-A; Naming; Digit Symbol); dog owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short Recall; Trails A,B; Naming; Digit Symbol); and cat owners than non-owners (Immediate, Short, Long Recall; Naming), controlling for age and comorbidities. Among dog owners (N = 73) walkers experienced slower deterioration than non-walkers (Trails B, B-A; Short Recall). All ps ≤ 0.05. We provide important longitudinal evidence that pet ownership and dog walking contribute to maintaining cognitive function with aging and the need to support pet ownership and dog walking in design of senior communities and services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Friedmann
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard St., Suite 402, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
| | - Nancy R Gee
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Human Animal Interaction, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Eleanor M Simonsick
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Melissa H Kitner-Triolo
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara Resnick
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard St., Suite 402, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Ikmat Adesanya
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard St., Suite 402, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Lincy Koodaly
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard St., Suite 402, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Merve Gurlu
- Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard St., Suite 402, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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Syrnyk C, McArthur A, Zwack A, Makowsky M. Reading to Dogs at Home: A Pilot Study. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION JOURNAL 2023; 51:1-7. [PMID: 37360594 PMCID: PMC10054209 DOI: 10.1007/s10643-023-01482-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
In summer 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, 8 parent-child dyads were recruited to participate in a pilot project to investigate the potential benefit of an at-home adaptation of an Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) for literacy. After completing a demographic survey and the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (Cohen et al., 1983), children's reading level was established using the Fry method and past report card information. Parents were given access to an online levelled-reader e-book provider along with written instructions and video training. Parent-child dyads engaged in the at-home AAI literacy support for 6-weeks during which time children's reading level was tracked online. Parental stress was assessed again upon completion. Findings indicate that reading level increased in 6 out of 8 cases, although not significantly. Parental stress, however, increased significantly from the start to end of the project. This descriptive pilot project discusses the potential and pitfalls of an at-home AAI literacy intervention.
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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 2022:1-32. [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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Syrnyk C, McArthur A, Zwack A, Handelsman A. Supporting Young Readers: A Mixed-Methods Study of Their Literacy, Behaviour, and Perceptions When Reading Aloud to Dogs or Adults. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION JOURNAL 2022; 51:1-15. [PMID: 36312220 PMCID: PMC9589535 DOI: 10.1007/s10643-022-01392-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) have been found to benefit human emotional state and cognitive performance. Recent applications of AAI have extended to classrooms with a range of intentions including to improve literacy. This Canadian study sought to examine differences in reading performance and behaviour in early readers identified as requiring extra supports following exposure to a canine-assisted and adult-assisted reading support. Twenty-four 7- to 8-year-olds experienced both supports in random order. At the start of the study and after completion of either support learners' oral reading, reading comprehension, social functioning, and reading affect were assessed. Parents, teachers, and children were also asked a range of closed- and open-ended questions. Findings showed evidence of improvement in reading performance, particularly after reading to a dog. There was also evidence of improved social competence overall and decreased problematic behaviour, although this was dependent on order of exposure. Teacher and parent reports showed they believed both supports to improve learner skills and affect for reading, and that teachers made more distinctions here. Implications for the practical application and relevance of methodological detail for future work are discussed.
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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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Cooke E, Henderson-Wilson C, Warner E, LaMontagne A. Animal-assisted interventions in universities: a scoping review of implementation and associated outcomes. Health Promot Int 2022:6517178. [DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daac001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Summary
With levels of stress and anxiety rising among the university community, universities worldwide are implementing animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) on campus. However, to date, little is known about how to implement these initiatives. Questions also remain as to the impact of evaluated AAIs on health and wellbeing. Therefore, this study sought to review the implementation and effectiveness of previous AAIs in university settings. Electronic databases ProQuest Central, Gale and 16 databases within EBSCOHost were searched with key words, such as AAI, and university or college students for relevant articles. Inclusion criteria included primary research studies that measured a health, wellbeing or behavioural outcome. A total of 47 articles met inclusion criteria, including 24 RCTs. There was limited reporting on the implementation of AAIs in the higher education setting. A total of 11 different mental health and behavioural outcomes have been summarized, with stress, anxiety and mood providing favourable results. An AAI on campus may provide a form of stress and anxiety relief for the university community. Other mental health and behavioural outcomes require further research to determine their effectiveness. These findings highlight that an AAI on campus could potentially provide a form of stress and anxiety relief, and could be a strategy for addressing rising levels of psychological stress and mental health issues among university students and staff in Australia and internationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Cooke
- Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Claire Henderson-Wilson
- Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Elyse Warner
- Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
| | - Anthony LaMontagne
- Deakin University, Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia
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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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Exploring Dog-Assisted Interventions in Higher Education: Students' Attitudes and Perceived Effects on Well-Being. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094492. [PMID: 33922741 PMCID: PMC8123063 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Both, in the transition to university and during it, students experience a multitude of different changes. Thus, it is no surprise that many students in higher education report suffering from mental health problems. To address their concerns, animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) have gained more and more attention over the past few years. Nonetheless, AAIs have neither yet been used nor researched at German universities. Two studies were carried out to address this issue. In Study I, 709 university students answered a questionnaire evaluating their attitude towards dogs, AAIs and interest in its use at their home university. In Study II, 27 students participated in a dog-assisted intervention (DAI) in which they were allowed to interact with a qualified dog for 15 min. To gain information about their well-being, blood pressure was measured and the Basler Befindlichkeitsskala had to be answered before and after the intervention. Results showed a positive attitude among German students toward dogs, AAIs, and the use of DAIs at their home university. Although an effect on physical well-being could not be found, results showed that a 15-min DAI can improve students’ psychological well-being. Thus, higher education administrators should consider using DAIs as a way to improve student well-being.
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Gee NR, Rodriguez KE, Fine AH, Trammell JP. Dogs Supporting Human Health and Well-Being: A Biopsychosocial Approach. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:630465. [PMID: 33860004 PMCID: PMC8042315 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.630465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have long realized that dogs can be helpful, in a number of ways, to achieving important goals. This is evident from our earliest interactions involving the shared goal of avoiding predators and acquiring food, to our more recent inclusion of dogs in a variety of contexts including therapeutic and educational settings. This paper utilizes a longstanding theoretical framework- the biopsychosocial model- to contextualize the existing research on a broad spectrum of settings and populations in which dogs have been included as an adjunct or complementary therapy to improve some aspect of human health and well-being. A wide variety of evidence is considered within key topical areas including cognition, learning disorders, neurotypical and neurodiverse populations, mental and physical health, and disabilities. A dynamic version of the biopsychosocial model is used to organize and discuss the findings, to consider how possible mechanisms of action may impact overall human health and well-being, and to frame and guide future research questions and investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy R Gee
- Department of Psychiatry, Center for Human Animal Interaction, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Kerri E Rodriguez
- Human-Animal Bond in Colorado, School of Social Work, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Aubrey H Fine
- Department of Education, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, United States
| | - Janet P Trammell
- Division of Social Sciences and Natural Sciences, Seaver College, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, United States
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