The Psychological and Physiological Effects of Using a Therapy Dog in Mindfulness Training

ABSTRACT

The present study was a randomized controlled trial examining the psychological and physiological effects of adding animal-assisted therapy (AAT) to a modified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program (MBSR) for clients experiencing psychological distress. It was hypothesized that AAT would complement mindfulness-based interventions because the therapy dog will provide a focus for attention to the current experience and exemplify acceptance and “being,” enabling the understanding and practice of the main aspects of mindfulness. Participants (n=21) were randomly assigned to an MBSR or MBSR+AAT group and then completed an intervention consisting of six 50-minute individual therapy sessions. Each session included didactic and experiential components modified for delivery with or without a certified therapy dog. State and trait mindfulness, psychological distress measures, blood pressure, and heart rate were assessed at each session. Results indicate that all participants experienced fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms, decreased psychological distress, and increased mindfulness skills from preto post-treatment. Additionally, state anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate decreased within sessions. No significant difference was found between the control and experimental groups, indicating that interaction with a therapy dog had no impact on symptom reduction, skill acquisition, or client satisfaction in the current study. However, moderate to large effect size estimates indicate clinically significant differences between groups, with higher ratings for the MBSR+AAT group on therapist efficacy, recommending the training, and participating in future treatment. Future studies need to increase methodological rigor by including multiple therapist/dog teams and increasing sample size. Moreover, researchers must more thoroughly examine the role the dog might have in altering the social environment, such as reducing stigma surrounding mental health services and enhancing the therapeutic alliance.     

The Effect of Behavioral Therapy on Dog Phobia Response Patterns

ABSTRACT

Phobic fear can be regarded as an emotional response syndrome consisting of three groups of response patterns, namely cognitive-affective, motor-behavioral and physiological. In the present study, female students were assigned to two groups: an experimental group consisting of participants suffering from dog phobia, and a control group. The study consisted of three stages: the resting stage measured baseline values, while the pre- and post-intervention stages measured values in the presence of a dog stimulus. Cognitive-affective aspects were assessed by an anxiety scale and post-study questionnaire. Motor-behavioral aspects focussed on dog approach termination distances and the observation of non-verbal communication cues during behavioral approach tests. Physiological aspects were measured in terms of plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. Systematic desensitization therapy was found to be effective in alleviating motor-behavioral and cognitive-affective aspects, while its effect on plasma ACTH levels was inconclusive. No significant plasma ACTH level changes occurred in the experimental group during the study. When comparing the experimental and control groups, the only significant difference was a lower plasma ACTH level in the control group during the post-intervention stage. Total stressor schedule values suggest that participants in the experimental group had a predisposition to be generally more anxious and fearful than participants in the control group.     

The Influence of a Dog on Male Students During a Stressor

ABSTRACT

The psychological and cardiovascular influence of a friendly, unfamiliar dog on a group of 17 male students was compared to a group of men (19) who did not have access to the dog, during a stressor. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured during 4 test conditions (rest, preparation, speech task, recovery). State-anxiety was measured before and after the preparation and speech task. Subjects from the experimental group(E) but not from the control group(C) interacted with a dog during the preparation and speech tasks. The preparation and speech tasks caused statistically significant increases in cardiovascular parameters (blood pressure, heart rate) (F_(12,22) = 17.60; p = 0.000), and state-anxiety (E-group: ¯x_sta1 = 29.8; ¯x_{sta 2} = 47.9; t = -6.12; df = 16; p = 0.000, C-group: ¯x_sta1 = 31.4; ¯x_sta2 = 47,0; t = -5.68; df = 18; p = 0.000). No significant differences were found between the control and the experimental group with regard to state-anxiety anxiety (¯x_c =15.6; ¯x_e =-18.2; t = 0.63; df = 34; p = 0.533), blood pressure and heart rate (F_(4,30) = 1.18; p = 0.338), even after controlling for the effects of daily stress (F_(4,29) =1.427; p = 0.250). It is concluded that a friendly but unfamiliar dog has no significant psychological or cardiovascular effect on male students during a speech task in a laboratory setting. Possibly the stress of the speech task and the laboratory setting overrided the influence of the pet.     

A Companion Dog Increases Prosocial Behavior in Work Groups

Although organizations use a variety of interventions to improve group functioning, getting people to work effectively with each other remains challenging. Because the presence of a dog has been shown to have positive effects on mood and dyadic interaction, we expected that the presence of a companion dog would also have positive effects on people in work groups. One reason for this is that a companion dog is likely to elevate positive emotions, which often promote prosocial behavior. In study 1 (n = 120) and study 2 (n = 120), participants were randomly assigned to either a dogpresent or dog-absent four-person group. Three friendly companion dogs were randomly assigned to the dog-present groups; only one dog at a time was used during any given experimental session. In study 1, groups worked on an interactive problem-solving task; participants in the dog-present group displayed more verbal cohesion, physical intimacy, and cooperation. Study 2 was identical except that participants worked on a decision-making task requiring less interaction; participants in the dog-present condition displayed more verbal cohesion and physical intimacy and gave higher ratings of trustworthiness to fellow group members. In study 3, we examined behavioral indicators of positive emotions in dog-present and dog-absent groups. Naïve observers (n = 160) rated silent, 40-second video clips of interaction in groups where either a dog was (1) present but not visible or (2) not present. Behavior in dog-present groups was rated as more cooperative, comfortable, friendly, active, enthusiastic, and attentive. We discuss areas for future research and implications of our findings for work and educational settings.     

The effects of the presence of a dog in the classroom

Abstract

This study examined the effects of the presence of a dog in the classroom on field independence, social competence, empathy with animals and social-emotional atmosphere. The participants were 46 first-graders (43 of them immigrants) of two school classes (control and experimental). In the experimental group, a dog was present in the classroom for three months. Multivariate analyses revealed significant enhancement of field independence and empathy with animals in the experimental group in comparison to the control group (no dog). Thus, the presence of the dog fostered the development of autonomous functioning and a better segregation of self/non-self, which is the foundation of sensitivity towards the needs and moods of other people. Moreover, according to the views of the teachers, the children in the experimental group exhibited higher social integration, and there were fewer aggressive children, compared with the children in the control group. In sum, the results indicate that a dog can be an important factor in the social and cognitive development of children.     

Nest defence,enemy recognition and nest inspection behaviour of experimentally parasitized Reed Warblers Acrocephalus scirpaceus

Capsule Reed Warblers in a regularly parasitized population do not recognize Cuckoo Cuculus canorus as a special enemy and do not change their behaviour at nest immediately after being parasitized.

Aims To assess if an intruder near the nest influences the behaviour of the Cuckoo host.

Methods Host responses to Cuckoo, control Pigeon dummies and human intruder were observed. Host behaviour at 71 nests was video-recorded for 30 minutes at four experimental groups of nests: Cuckoo dummy, Cuckoo dummy + Cuckoo egg, Pigeon dummy, human intruder.

Results Reed Warblers did not respond differently to the Cuckoo and the control species. The experimental procedure had no significant effect on the behaviour of hosts during the study period. We were unable to find any differences in the time spent at the nest, clutch inspection behaviour and nest defence behaviour between morning and afternoon experimental groups. Our results do not support the hypothesis that afternoon laying by the Cuckoo is maintained by a selection pressure from the host. We observed no ejection or egg-pecking during the 30-min period after the experimental parasitism.

Conclusions Low aggression and non-specificity of host responses in our study area are in line with the fact that the Reed Warbler is an intermediate rejecter of Cuckoo eggs as expected from the spatial habitat structure hypothesis.     

温敏性几丁糖填充兔眼玻璃体两种手术方式对比研究

目的:通过两种手术方式对兔眼玻璃体进行温敏性几丁糖填充,比较其眼压及并发症差异。方法:将18只白兔随机分为实验组和对照组,每组各9只,右眼均为手术眼,实验组白兔行玻璃体切割术并注入温敏性几丁糖,对照组通过1 m L注射器抽取玻璃体并填充温敏性几丁糖,术后随访1月,对比两组白兔术后眼压及手术并发症的差异性。结果:实验组手术前眼压(7.76±2.21)mm Hg与术后眼压(7.49±2.98)mm Hg无明显差异(P0.05),对照组手术前眼压(7.80±2.04)mm Hg与手术后眼压(5.17±0.96)mm Hg有统计学意义(P0.05)。对照组术后并发症发生率为44.4%(4/9),明显高于实验组22.2%(2/9)。结论:玻璃体腔注射温敏性几丁糖操作简单,但并发症较多,且易造成眼压改变;而玻璃体切割术后填充温敏性几丁糖并发症相对较少,眼压波动较小,但应注意并发性白内障的发生。     

Effects of the doubly labelled water procedure on Great Tits Parus major feeding young

Capsule Female feeding rate behaviour was highly variable between individuals but no effect of the doubly labelled water (DLW) procedure on female visit rate was detected, whereas visit rates by males, which were neither trapped or manipulated, increased following trapping and manipulation of their partners.

Aims To test the assumption that the subject's behaviour is normal during the measurement period when using DLW to measure energy expenditure.

Methods Visits to the nestbox by parents feeding young were counted separately for females and males on the day before and the day after the female only was trapped to measure her energy expenditure using DLW. Visit rates were also counted for control pairs.

Results Female visit rates did not differ before and after manipulation, or between experimental and control pairs, but bird behaviour was highly variable between individuals. In contrast, the visit rates of both experimental and control males, which were not trapped, increased on the second day.

Conclusion The results for female behaviour supported the assumption of normality, but a small subset of particular individuals may be prone to adverse reactions. The response of the males may have been a reaction to disturbance at the nest.     

Brief Unstructured Interaction with a Dog Reduces Distress

ABSTRACT

In 2013, 11% of the US population experienced serious psychological distress. This problem of psychological distress is exacerbated in colleges and universities, where more than half of students report experiencing moderate to severe depression. In spite of the prevalence of this psychological distress, the vast majority of these students do not receive treatment. To address the problem of psychological distress among students, many universities have instituted animal visitation programs (AVPs). These popular programs provide opportunities for participants to interact with animals (usually dogs), with the goal of alleviating distress. However, empirical evidence for the effectiveness of these programs is lacking. We therefore conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the influence of a single, brief interaction with a dog on the subjective experience of anxiety and mood in a sample of students and medical residents (n=67). We compared the impact of interactions with a dog to the effects of viewing (but not interacting with) the same dog, and the effects of a no-treatment control. We found that interacting with a dog reduced anxiety and negative mood, and increased positive mood relative to the control conditions. These effects were large, providing direct support for the model of AVPs already in widespread use in colleges and universities, as well as primary schools, hospitals, dentist's offices, courthouses, nursing homes, airports, and Veteran's Affairs facilities. In addition, our findings suggest that future research on AVPs is needed to elucidate when and how these are most potent. The results of that research may be used to maximize the benefits of these programs, which are already so widespread.     

The adaptations in muscle architecture following whole body vibration training

Objective:This study aims to investigate the effect of 8-week whole-body vibration (WBV) added to conventional training on muscular architecture, dynamic muscle strength and physical performance compared to controls in young basketball players.Methods:Sixteen young basketball players between the ages of 14-16 years were randomly assigned to whole body vibration group (VG) or control group (CG). Both groups were trained with a conventional program. Pennation angle (PeA), fascicle length and muscle thickness of Rectus Femoris (RF) and Vastus lateralis were measured by ultrasonography. Isokinetic dynamic muscle testing at 180 °/s and 60°/s, squat jump (SJ) and flexibility were evaluated before and after 8 weeks of training programs. Primary outcome measure was the fascicle length.Results:Fascicle length of RF, SJ height and flexibility increased significantly within VG compared to pretraining (p<0.05). SJ height increased in VG compared to CG significantly following training (p<0.05). PeA, fascicle length, muscle thicknesses, strength and flexibility did not differ between groups.Conclusion:Eight weeks of WBV training improved fascicle length of RF, SJ height, and flexibility compared to pre-training. Addition of WBV to conventional training did not cause improvement in muscle architecture, strength and flexibility compared to conventional training alone.     

Dog training as a violence prevention tool for at-risk adolescents

Abstract

Humane education programs often target at-risk children and seek to teach empathy and gentleness with animals, but few of these have been assessed. This prospective, longitudinal study examined the effects of “Teaching Love and Compassion” (TLC), a humane education program employing educational group discussions and dog training for seventh-grade, inner city youth in Los Angeles, California. The TLC program is offered to groups of 10 to 12 students during their three-week vacation at the year-round school. Students for the experimental and control groups were selected from the pool of those scoring below the 25th percentile in reading and mathematics. The study, conducted over a two-year period, assessed four successive sessions, comprising an experimental group of 41 children and a control group of 42 children. In morning sessions, the experimental group had discussions focusing on interpersonal issues and conflict management. In the afternoons they were taught the proper care and obedience training of shelter dogs. Pre-, post-, and follow-up tests, specially developed to accommodate the children's reading ability and scheduling constraints, were given to both the experimental and control groups to assess their knowledge of animal care, conflict management skills, attitudes toward self and others, and fear of dogs. Members of the experimental group increased their understanding of pet care and the needs of animals and retained this information more than did the control group for all four TLC sessions, both at post-testing (F=58.4, p=0.0001) and follow-up testing (F=18.9, p=0.0001). At post-testing, the experimental group showed a trend toward a decreased fear of dogs (F=3.6, p=0.062), that was significant at follow-up testing (F=4.2, p=0.019). For these children who are exposed to daily violence and aggression to people and animals, these modest changes were associated with the three-week intervention.     

丁二磺酸腺苷蛋氨酸联合熊去氧胆酸对妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症患者肝功能及妊娠结局的影响

目的:探讨丁二磺酸腺苷蛋氨酸联合熊去氧胆酸对妊娠期肝内胆汁淤积症(ICP)患者肝功能及妊娠结局的影响。方法:选取2016年1月至2017年10月我院接诊的96例ICP患者,按照随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,每组各48例,两组患者均给予常规基础治疗,对照组在此基础上给予熊去氧胆酸治疗,观察组在对照组基础上给予丁二磺酸腺苷蛋氨酸治疗,比较两组患者瘙痒、黄疸改善时间及治疗前后胆酸和肝功能指标检测结果,观察并对比两组母婴预后情况。结果:观察组瘙痒改善时间及黄疸改善时间均低于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者治疗前总胆汁酸(TBA)、甘胆酸(CG)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、总胆红素(TBiL)、直接胆红素(DBiL)水平对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者治疗后TBA、CG、ALT、AST、TBiL、DBiL水平均低于治疗前,且观察组低于对照组(P0.05)。观察组羊水污染、胎儿窘迫、早产、剖宫产及新生儿Apgar评分7分发生率均低于对照组(P0.05),两组患者产后出血、死胎发生率对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:丁二磺酸腺苷蛋氨酸联合熊去氧胆酸能够有效改善ICP症状和肝功能,降低不良母婴预后发生风险,可作为优选治疗方案。     

艾迪注射液联合吉非替尼片治疗EGFR阳性晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床疗效观察

目的:探讨艾迪注射液结合吉非替尼片治疗表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)阳性晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)的临床疗效。方法:选取2012年1月至2015年12月在航天中心医院和华中科技大学同济医学院附属普爱医院治疗的EGFR阳性晚期NSCLC患者62例,按照随机双盲法分为实验组和对照组各31例,实验组给予艾迪注射液联合吉非替尼片治疗,对照组单纯使用吉非替尼片治疗,两组均治疗2个疗程。比较两组患者的治疗效果及其不良反应的发生情况,随访1年,比较两组患者的存活率。结果:实验组有效率和疾病控制率高于对照组(P0.05),实验组疼痛减轻率、睡眠质量改善率和饮食改善率较对照组升高(P0.05),实验组不良反应的发生率稍低于对照组,但是差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。随访1年发现实验组28例存活,对照组22例存活,实验组的存活率高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:艾迪注射液联合吉非替尼片较单纯应用吉非替尼片治疗EGFR阳性晚期NSCLC的疗效更好,能够改善患者睡眠质量和饮食状况,减轻疼痛,用药安全性较好,从而改善患者的预后,值得临床推广。     

Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Substance Dependence

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on the therapeutic alliance with an adult, residential, substance abuse population in group therapy. We used randomized samples and controlled conditions to establish the effects of chosen variables that influence outcome. A total of 231 people took part in the study (control group [without therapy dog]: n = 96; experimental group [with therapy dog]: n = 135) in which there were 26 group sessions. The results of the study indicate that, overall, the therapeutic alliance is enhanced with the addition of a therapy dog: the AAT group had a more positive opinion of the therapeutic alliance, as measured using the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ-II), than the control group (ANOVA: F_(1,229) = 25.44, p < 0.001). Clients seeking treatment for a dual diagnosis, clients with state social service involvement, and clients seeking treatment for alcohol addiction had similar opinions of the therapeutic alliance, whether in the experimental group or the control group. Males, females, pet owners, court ordered clients, and clients seeking treatment for polysubstance, cannabis, and methamphetamine dependence all were more positive about the therapeutic alliance if they were in the experimental group than if they were in the control. This study demonstrates that addiction professionals could increase treatment success by adding this complementary, evidence-based practice.     

Actividad del sistema neuronal LHRH en un modelo animal de retraso del crecimiento

ObjectiveMild and chronic energy restriction results in growth retardation with puberal delay, a nutritional disease known as nutritional dwarfing (ND). The aim of the present study was to assess the profile of hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) release, at baseline and under glutamate stimulation, in ND rats to elucidate gonadotrophic dysfunction. Reproductive ability during refeeding was also studied.Material and methodsAt weaning, 60 male rats were assigned to two groups of 30 animals each: a control and an experimental group. Control rats were fed ad libitum with a balanced rodent diet. The experimental group received 80% of the diet consumed by the control group for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of food restriction, the ND group was fed freely for 8 weeks. Ten rats from each group were sacrificed every 4 weeks for assays.ResultsAt week 4, body weight and length were significantly diminished in the experimental group vs. the control group (p<0.001). No changes were observed in LHRH baseline release, pulse frequency or amplitude in the experimental group compared with the control group at any time. However, under glutamate stimulation, LHRH release was significantly higher in ND rats than in control rats at week 4 (p<0.05). Refeeding the ND group allowed the rats to reach overall growth and reproductive ability.ConclusionsThe results of the present study suggest that the response to the facilitatory effect of glutamate on LHRH release in post-restricted ND rats is probably related to a lesser central nervous system maturation in relation to their chronological age. The adequate somatic growth and normal reproductive ability attained with refeeding suggest the reversibility of the two energetically costly processes compromised by global, mild and chronic food restriction.     

地屈孕酮联合口服黄体酮胶丸对黄体功能不全先兆流产患者血清抑制素A、性激素的影响

摘要 目的：探讨地屈孕酮联合口服黄体酮胶丸对黄体功能不全先兆流产患者血清抑制素A、性激素的影响。方法：选择2018年9月到2020年9月在我院接受治疗的125例黄体功能不全先兆流产患者,采用随机数表法分为试验组（n=63）和对照组（n=62）。对照组给予黄体酮胶丸治疗,试验组在对照组的基础上给予地屈孕酮治疗。比较两组临床疗效、抑制素A、雌二醇（E₂）、孕酮（P）、人绒毛膜促性腺激素（HCG）、临床症状改善情况、妊娠结局及不良反应发生情况。结果：治疗后,两组总有效率比较差异显著（P<0.05）;治疗前,试验组和对照组血清抑制素A、E2、P、HCG比较无显著差异;治疗后试验组和对照组血清抑制素A、E₂、P、HCG随着时间的推移而升高,且试验组均高于对照组,差异显著（P<0.05）;试验组止血时间、腹痛改善时间及腰痛改善时间均显著低于对照组,差异显著（P<0.05）;试验组保胎成功率、新生儿体质量及新生儿Apgar评分均显著高于对照组,差异显著（P<0.05）;两组不良反应总发生率分别为7.94%、9.68%（P>0.05）。结论：在黄体功能不全先兆流产患者中应用地屈孕酮联合口服黄体酮胶丸效果显著,可能与其可有效改善血清抑制素A、性激素水平有关,且不增加不良反应。     

Weight change during pharmacological blockade of interleukin-6 or tumor necrosis factor-α in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disorders: A 16-week comparative study

BackgroundInterleukin (IL)-6 ?/? mice develop spontaneous mature onset obesity, while the influence of the pharmacological blockade of IL-6 on body weight in humans has not been previously reported. The aim of the present study was to observe weight change in patients treated with tocilizumab (TCZ).MethodsTwenty-one consecutive patients who started new treatment with TCZ were enrolled in the study. Sixteen consecutive patients who started treatment with infliximab (IFX) formed the control group. Height and weight of all patients were registered and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated before the first treatment and at week 16. The Mann–Whitney or paired Wilcoxon test were used for comparisons between or within groups, respectively.ResultsThe study demonstrated that treatment with TCZ was accompanied with significant weight gain and BMI increase (p = 0.04), while IFX treatment did not result in any significant weight change during the 16-week period.ConclusionsWeight gain can be seen in some patients during the pharmacological blockade of IL-6. The phenomenon and metabolic pathways involved should be further investigated.     

The effect of dehydroepiandrosterone administration on intestinal calcium absorption in ovariectomized female rats

[Purpose] Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration reportedly recovers osteoporosis, a bone disorder associated with bone deficiency in postmenopausal women. However, the physiological mechanism of DHEA in osteoporosis remains elusive, especially in terms of intestinal calcium absorption. Therefore, we investigated the effect of DHEA administration on calcium absorption in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats using an estrogen receptor antagonist.[Methods] Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=23, 6 weeks old) were randomized into three groups: OVX control group (OC, n=7), OVX with DHEA treatment group (OD, n=8), and OVX with DHEA inhibitor group (ODI, n=8) for 8 weeks.[Results] Intestinal calcium accumulation, as well as the rate of absorption, demonstrated no significant differences during the experimental period among investigated groups. The bone mineral density (BMD) of the tibia at the proximal metaphysis was higher in the OD group than that in the OC group (p<0.05); however, BMD of the ODI group showed no significant difference from investigated groups. Furthermore, the BMD of the tibia at the diaphysis did not significantly differ among these groups.[Conclusion] We revealed that DHEA administration does not involve intestinal Ca absorption, although this treatment improves BMD levels in OVX rats. These observations indicate that the effect of DHEA on the bone in postmenopausal women is solely due to its influence on bone metabolism and not intestinal calcium absorption.     

吗啡皮下自控镇痛泵治疗难治性癌痛的前瞻性多中心随机对照研究

摘要 目的：观察吗啡皮下自控镇痛泵治疗难治性癌痛的临床疗效。方法：采用前瞻性多中心随机对照研究,应用治疗方法分为试验组和对照组,其中试验组使用皮下自控阵痛泵给药,对照组口服吗啡片剂,5 d为一疗程,共计观察3疗程。观察两组患者治疗后疼痛积分改善情况;每疗程吗啡日均用量;疼痛起效时间、最佳缓解时间;镇痛维持时间及剂量稳定天数、爆发痛情况;生活质量改善及不良反应发生率;疗程费用情况。结果：两组患者数字疼痛评分法(numerical rating scale,NRS)评分在治疗后均较镇痛前显著降低（P＜0.05）;在吗啡用量比较方面,试验组吗啡用量显著低于对照组同期用量;试验组在疼痛缓解时间、疼痛最佳缓解时间方面均显著优于对照组;治疗期间试验组平均镇痛维持时间明显长于对照组（P＜0.05）;两组患者治疗后体力状况分析标准(performance status,PS)评分较治疗前显著改善;试验组便秘、嗜睡不良反应发生率显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。试验组每疗程费用明显低于对照组,具有明显经济优势。结论：吗啡皮下自控镇痛泵给药方式控制难治性癌痛临床疗效确切,止痛效果明显。与对照组比较,疼痛起效时间短,疗程较吗啡用量少,不良反应发生率低,改善了患者生活质量,且减轻了患者经济压力。     

Does Anthropomorphism of Dogs Affect Pain Perception in Animal-Assisted Interventions? An Exploratory Study

The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the effects of anthropomorphism of a therapy dog on pain perception during an animal-assisted intervention. Participants were 32 college women who were randomly assigned to the anthropomorphism condition or the control condition. All participants engaged in a pretest cold pressor task to measure base-line individual differences in pain tolerance and perceptions of pain intensity and pain unpleasantness. After completing this task, participants in the anthropomorphism group engaged in a task intended to prime them to view a therapy dog anthropomorphically. Specifically, they rated photos of dogs on a series of humanlike traits (e.g., “this dog would be a good listener”). Participants in the control condition rated photos of dogs on a series of canine traits (e.g., “this dog would make a good watchdog”). After this experimental manipulation, participants engaged in a second cold pressor task in the presence of a therapy dog and the therapy dog handler. We hypothesized that participants in the anthropomorphism group would demonstrate greater pain tolerance and report lower levels of pain intensity and pain unpleasantness during the second cold pressor task than participants in the control group. Results provide partial support for these hypotheses. Participants in the anthropomorphism group reported lower posttest pain intensity than participants in the control group. In addition, they demonstrated greater posttest pain tolerance than participants in the control group—but only under conditions of medium or high pretest pain tolerance. The two groups did not differ with respect to posttest pain unpleasantness. The results of this exploratory study provide preliminary evidence that prompting individuals to view a therapy dog anthropomorphically may augment their experience of pain relief from a therapy dog visit.