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.     

Animal-Assisted Therapy in Psychiatric Rehabilitation

ABSTRACT

Reviews of animal-assisted therapy (AAT) research suggest the need for better controlled and designed research studies to supplement the many case studies and anecdotal reports. This study reports the results of such an investigation where sixty-nine male and female psychiatric inpatients were randomized to either an AAT psychiatric rehabilitation group or a similarly conducted control group without AAT, to test if AAT can improve prosocial behaviors. The Social Behavior Scale was scored daily by an independent rater and patients were monitored for four weeks. A two-group by weeks repeated measure analysis of variance was conducted for each outcome measure. There were no baseline differences between the two groups on demographics or any of the measures, but by week four, patients in the AAT group were significantly more interactive with other patients, scored higher on measures of smiles and pleasure, were more sociable and helpful with others, and were more active and responsive to surroundings. These data suggest that AAT plays an important role in enhancing the benefits of conventional therapy, and demonstrates the benefit of including a non-AAT group for comparison. The study also demonstrates the importance of using longitudinal, repeated measure designs. Previous studies may have failed to find significant effects because they were restricted to shorter intervals for measuring outcomes.     

Post-Operative Benefits of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Pediatric Surgery: A Randomised Study

Background

Interest in animal-assisted therapy has been fuelled by studies supporting the many health benefits. The purpose of this study was to better understand the impact of an animal-assisted therapy program on children response to stress and pain in the immediate post-surgical period.

Patients and Methods

Forty children (3–17 years) were enrolled in the randomised open-label, controlled, pilot study. Patients were randomly assigned to the animal-assisted therapy-group (n = 20, who underwent a 20 min session with an animal-assisted therapy dog, after surgery) or the standard-group (n = 20, standard postoperative care). The study variables were determined in each patient, independently of the assigned group, by a researcher unblinded to the patient’s group. The outcomes of the study were to define the neurological, cardiovascular and endocrinological impact of animal-assisted therapy in response to stress and pain. Electroencephalogram activity, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, cerebral prefrontal oxygenation, salivary cortisol levels and the faces pain scale were considered as outcome measures.

Results

After entrance of the dog faster electroencephalogram diffuse beta-activity (> 14 Hz) was reported in all children of the animal-assisted therapy group; in the standard-group no beta-activity was recorded (100% vs 0%, p<0.001). During observation, some differences in the time profile between groups were observed for heart rate (test for interaction p = 0.018), oxygen saturation (test for interaction p = 0.06) and cerebral oxygenation (test for interaction p = 0.09). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were influenced by animal-assisted therapy, though a higher variability in diastolic pressure was observed. Salivary cortisol levels did not show different behaviours over time between groups (p=0.70). Lower pain perception was noted in the animal-assisted group in comparison with the standard-group (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

Animal-assisted therapy facilitated rapid recovery in vigilance and activity after anaesthesia, modified pain perception and induced emotional prefrontal responses. An adaptative cardiovascular response was also present.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02284100     

Effectiveness of an Animal-Assisted Therapy Program in an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit

Abstract

Proper diagnostic assessment in an inpatient psychiatric setting requires observation of patients under various conditions. Group activities such as animal-assisted therapy (A-AT) can provide an excellent opportunity for assessment—but only if the patient chooses to attend. Retrospective analysis of attendance at a major metropolitan inpatient psychiatric unit indicates that over the course of two years (N= 23 months) the A-AT group attracted the highest percentage of inpatients voluntarily choosing to attend an occupational therapy group. It was found that A-AT was the most effective of all groups offered in attracting isolated individuals regardless of diagnosis. The authors conclude that A-AT is an effective tool for diagnostic observation and assessment.     

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.     

Dogs in child psychotherapy: Effects on state of mind

Abstract

Using a pretest-posttest design, this study investigates possible influences of animal-assisted therapy (AAT), using a dog, on the state of mind of children and adolescents who have undergone inpatient psychiatric treatment. To measure this, the Basler Befindlichkeits-Skala (BBS) was used, which measures general “state of mind” and provides four sub-scale scores: vitality, intra-emotional balance, social extroversion, and alertness. For Group 1 patients (n = 61, with AAT), the results show highly significant increases in all dimensions of the BBS. These changes were not found in a second group (Group 2, n = 39), in which there was no AAT. There was a significant negative correlation between pretest BBS scores and the change in scores that occurred after therapy incorporating AAT. Among seven patients in Group 1, a deterioration in state of mind was recorded. Under our controlled clinical conditions, an effect size of 0.38 was calculated for the therapy using a dog. Incorporating a dog could catalyze psychotherapeutic work with children and adolescents.     

运动疗法联合作业疗法用于脑瘫患儿的疗效及对肢体运动功能作用

摘要 目的：探讨运动疗法联合作业疗法用于脑瘫患儿的疗效对肢体运动功能的作用。方法：选择2020年3月~2022年6月我院康复科收治的80例脑瘫患儿作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为两组各40例,对照组予以运动疗法干预,包括Bobath技术和核心稳定性训练,试验组在对照组基础上进行作业疗法干预,包括手功能、手眼协调能力、进食、如厕、更衣及游戏训练。干预前后采用粗大运动功能测量（GMFM）、精细运动功能评估表（FMFM）及Gesell发育量表对患儿进行评估,评价临床疗效,并采用SF-36健康调查简表（SF-36）对患者进行评估。结果：两组患儿干预后的GMFM评分、FMFM评分均明显提高,而试验组明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组患儿干预后的DQ评分均明显提高,而试验组明显高于对照组,试验组DQ评分增幅明显大于对照组（P<0.05）。试验组的总有效率（95.0%）明显高于对照组（77.5%）（P<0.05）。两组患儿干预后SF-36评分均明显提高,试验组在活力、社会功能和精神健康维度明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：运动疗法联合作业疗法可有效促进脑瘫患儿的上肢与下肢运动功能改善,提高康复效果,改善患儿生存质量,应充分重视脑瘫的综合康复疗法。     

The Effect of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Pain Medication Use After Joint Replacement

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been used in a variety of healthcare settings and studies to evaluate the potential patient benefits are warranted. This retrospective study measured the impact of AAT on the use of oral pain medications by adults after total joint replacement surgery. One group of patients received care in a hospital with an AAT program and the comparison group was in a hospital without an AAT program. Adult patient cohorts were matched on: age, gender, ethnicity, length of stay, and Diagnosis Related Group code for type of total joint replacement. Pain medication doses, converted into morphine equivalent daily doses (MEDD), were compared. Pain medication use was significantly less in the AAT group: 15.32 mg vs. 21.16 (t₍₁₁₉₎ = 2.72, p = 0.007). The effectiveness of AAT in decreasing the need for pain medication and its effect on patient well-being in the post-operative period and in other settings deserves further study.     

Therapy Dogs Improve Student Affect but Not Memory

ABSTRACT

While students are increasingly struggling with anxiety and depression, the effects of therapy dogs on student stress has only recently been explored. This study was conducted to investigate whether therapy dogs can improve student affect and to determine if these benefits extend to cognition in the form of enhanced ability to remember information. Forty-four college students were randomly assigned to interact with a therapy dog or not during both learning (session 1) and testing (session 2) in a paired-associates procedure. Arousal, stress, and mood were measured at the beginning and end of each session. As predicted, therapy dogs increased happiness and decreased stress and arousal. However, there was no difference in recognition memory for the paired associates between the therapy dog and control conditions. Mood was a significant predictor of memory, such that decreased happiness in session 2 predicted better recognition performance. These findings indicate that the benefits of therapy dogs are primarily affective and not cognitive.     

阶段性康复训练联合心理认知疗法在高血压脑出血偏瘫患者中的应用效果分析

摘要 目的：分析阶段性康复训练联合心理认知疗法在高血压脑出血偏瘫患者中的应用效果。方法：选取2018年4月~2021年7月期间我院收治的高血压脑出血偏瘫患者100例。根据双色球随机分组法将患者分为对照组（50例,常规治疗基础上接受阶段性康复训练）和观察组（50例,对照组基础上接受心理认知疗法）。对比两组干预4周后的临床总有效率,对比两组干预前、干预4周后的Fugl-Meyer 量表（FMA）、日常生活能力量表（ADL）、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)、汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD) 、简明健康调查量表(SF-36)评分。结果：观察组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。干预4周后,两组HAMA、HAMD评分下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。干预4周后,两组FMA、ADL评分升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。干预4周后,两组总体健康、躯体疼痛、社会功能、生理职能、生理功能、情感职能、精神健康、活力评分均升高,且观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：阶段性康复训练联合心理认知疗法有助于提高高血压脑出血偏瘫患者肢体运动功能和日常生活功能,缓解抑郁焦虑情况,促进生活质量提高。     

电针刺激联合局部振动治疗对脊髓损伤并发下肢痉挛患者康复效果及血清BDNF、PDGF的影响

目的:探讨脊髓损伤(SCI)并发下肢痉挛患者经电针刺激联合局部振动治疗后的临床效果。方法:选取本院于2018年1月到2019年6月期间收治的SCI并发下肢痉挛患者90例,根据乱数表法将上述患者分为对照组(n=45)和研究组(n=45),对照组患者给予常规康复系统疗法治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上给予电针刺激联合局部振动治疗,比较两组患者临床疗效、相关量表评分、内收肌角、直腿抬高角以及血清BDNF、PDGF水平。结果:研究组治疗后的临床总有效率为91.11%(41/45),高于对照组的64.44%(29/45)(P0.05)。两组患者治疗后改良Barthel指数、血清BDNF、PDGF水平均升高,且研究组高于对照组(P0.05);改良Ashworth量表、临床痉挛指数评分降低,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者治疗后内收肌角、直腿抬高角均扩大,且研究组大于对照组(P0.05)。结论:电针刺激联合局部振动治疗SCI并发下肢痉挛患者,可有效促进患者康复,改善下肢痉挛,提高生活自理能力,同时还可有效改善血清BDNF、PDGF水平。     

Animal-Assisted Therapy Enhances Resident Social Interaction and Initiation in Long-Term Care Facilities

ABSTRACT

Social stimulation is a valuable aspect of therapeutic activities at long-term care facilities, designed to decrease social isolation, maintain or stimulate mental abilities, and increase awareness of the external environment. A study was undertaken at two such facilities to compare the effectiveness of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) with Non-Animal Therapy (NAT) at providing social stimulation, that is, at providing opportunities for patients to engage in social interaction and to initiate social behaviors. While studies have indicated that AAT can improve resident outlook or affect, few have directly studied the social behaviors that might lead to such improvements, or the role the animals themselves might play. We observed 33 patients, both alert and semi- to non-alert, during regular recreational therapy sessions. Most patients were women (29 vs. four men), and geriatric (in their 70's and 80's). Non-Animal Therapies included Arts and Crafts and Snack Bingo, while AAT involved animals from local animal shelters being brought by volunteers to group sessions. Social behaviors naturally divided into Brief Conversations, Long Conversations, and Touch. We determined frequencies and rates of the behaviors, who initiated the behaviors and whether the behaviors were directed at other people or at the animals.

Overall, during AAT residents were involved in as much or more conversation with others, including the animals, as residents in Non-Animal Therapy, and were more likely to initiate and participate in longer conversations. The finding that different kinds of therapies seem to encourage different kinds of conversation might be an important consideration when investigating health benefits. The most dramatic differences between therapy types were found in rates of touch: touching the animals during AAT added significantly to resident engagement in, and initiation of, this behavior. Since touch is considered an important part of social stimulation and therapy, the enhancement of this social behavior by the animals is an important, and perhaps undervalued, effect.     

Music therapy in supportive cancer care

The purpose of this paper is to show some aspects of music therapy application in cancer care and to present the integration of music therapy program into a continuous supportive cancer care for inpatients. A cancer diagnosis is one of the most feared and serious life events that causes stress in individuals and families. Cancer disrupts social, physical and emotional well-being and results in a range of emotions, including anger, fear, sadness, guilt, embarrassment and shame. Music therapy is a part of a complementary medicine program in supportive cancer care which accompanies medical treatment. There are many benefits of music therapy for cancer patients—interactive music therapy techniques (instrumental improvisation, singing) as well as receptive music therapy techniques (listening to recorded or live music, music and imaginary) can be used to improve mood, decrease stress, pain, anxiety level and enhance relaxation. Music therapy is an effective form of supporting cancer care for patients during the treatment process. It may be also basic for planning effective programs of rehabilitation to promote wellness, improve physical and emotional well-being and the quality of life.     

强制性运动疗法在脑卒中偏瘫康复治疗中的应用效果研究

目的:研究强制性运动疗法(CIMT)在脑卒中偏瘫康复治疗中的应用效果。方法:将100例脑卒中偏瘫患者随机分为两组,对照组50例予常规运动疗法,实验组50例予CIMT。治疗后,比较两组患者的临床总有效率、步行速度评分、日常生活活动能力评分、运动功能评分及患者满意度。结果:治疗后,试验组的总有效率显著高于对照组(90%vs.68%),步行速度评分[(61.25±7.94)vs.46.12±8.56]、日常生活活动能力评分[(58.76±8.92)vs.47.95 9.16]、运动功能评分[(85.14±4.68)vs.52.39 9.64]、患者满意度(94%vs.78%)较对照组均明显升高(94%vs.78%),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:强制性运动疗法用于脑卒中偏瘫患者康复治疗的临床效果明显提升,可有效改善患者的运动功能。     

Canine-assisted Speech Therapy for Children with Communication Impairments: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Developmental dysphasia (DD) is a disorder resulting in a communication impairment. Children diagnosed with this condition are usually referred to a speech therapist. Further to conventional speech therapy it is possible to adopt a complementary animal-assisted approach. For the present study, we assembled a cohort comprising 69 children diagnosed with DD. The children in the experimental group (n = 31; 21 male, 10 female) ranged from 4 to 7 years (M = 5.53 years, SD = 0.81 years). The control group was comprised of children (n = 38; 31 male, 7 female) aged from 4 to 6 years (M = 4.85 years, SD = 0.51 years). While the latter received traditional speech therapy, the experimental group experienced sessions enhanced by animal-assistance therapy (AAT) with a dog present for co-therapy purposes. As primary outcome measures, the Kwint-Stambak (KS) test was adopted (for assessing facial motricity), together with the Bruininks-Oseretsky (BO) test (for evaluating motor proficiency). Both of these revealed statistically significant improvement in some primary outcome measures for the experimental group over the control group. Regarding narrowing and shutting of the eyes, as well as filling up the cheeks with air and smiling (as measured by the KS test), the experimental group did significantly better than the control group. The inclusion of dogs in such therapy increased the chances of success in certain abilities, when assessed by the KS and BO tests (odds ratios for success: 1.6 and 2.0, respectively), compared with the control group. Canine-assisted speech therapy may be a valuable tool for enhancing the effect of speech therapy on children with DD, and we speculate that the reason for this relates to the nature of communication between children and companion animals.     

手外伤激光照射康复护理观察研究

目的：探讨激光照射对手外伤患者的康复效果。方法：随机选取87例手外伤患者为观察组,采用激光照射与作业疗法,支具、心理疗法相结合;对照组63例,只采用作业疗法、支具及心理疗法。观测伤部疼痛减轻及消退情况,肿胀消退时间,康复治疗2月进行手功能评定。结果：观察组疼痛消失时间,肿胀消退时间,手功能康复均优于对照组,两组比较,差异均具有显著意义。结论：手外伤术后患者激光照射治疗能明显缩短手康复时间,提高康复质量。     

Relationship of Behavioral Interactions during an Animal-assisted Intervention in Assisted Living to Health-related Outcomes

ABSTRACT

In recent research involving assisted-living residents with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, a structured 12-week Pet Assisted Living (PAL) intervention led to improved physical activity (PA) and mood. Receipt of intervention is important to the efficacy of behavioral interventions. We assessed the behavioral interactions (BIs: looking at, talking to, touching, giving treats to, brushing, and walking the dog) of residents during PAL intervention sessions and evaluated their relationships to changes in PA and mood. Residents with mild to moderate cognitive impairment in seven small assisted-living facilities were randomized by facility to the 12-week PAL or reminiscing interventions. Outcomes included PA and mood. PA was assessed monthly with 24-hour actigraph and Barthel Index, and mood was assessed with the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Residents of four facilities (n = 22) received the PAL intervention which included bi-weekly activities designed to encourage maintenance or improvement of PA and mood. During each PAL session, participants’ engagement in each BI was noted. Engagement in BIs varied between residents and over sessions. BIs were not correlated with degree of cognitive impairment. In linear mixed models, the more participants walked the dog the more their PA changed, and the more participants looked at the dog the more their moods changed (ps < 0.05). Participants varied in their engagement in BIs. Two specific BIs were related to improvements in PA and mood. Finer assessment of BIs during animal-assisted interventions may enable understanding of their relationships to specific outcomes.     

电针阴部神经刺激疗法联合Kegel盆底康复训练对产后压力性尿失禁患者盆底肌力、尿流动力学和生活质量的影响

摘要 目的：探讨电针阴部神经刺激疗法联合Kegel盆底康复训练对产后压力性尿失禁（SUI）患者盆底肌力、尿流动力学和生活质量的影响。方法：选取2019年6月~2021年11月期间于我院就诊的产后SUI患者109例,按照入院就诊奇偶顺序分为两组,其中对照组54例,接受Kegel盆底康复训练,研究组55例,接受电针阴部神经刺激疗法联合Kegel盆底康复训练。对比两组疗效、漏尿量、尿失禁程度、盆底肌力、尿流动力学和生活质量。结果：研究组的临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后盆底肌肌力各指标（手测肌力和Ⅰ类肌纤维最大值、Ⅱ类肌纤维平均值）均升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后漏尿量、尿失禁程度评分均下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后尿流动力学相关指标[腹压漏尿点压（AL-PP）、最大尿流率（Qmax）和最大尿道闭合压力（MUCP）]均升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后尿失禁生活质量量表（I-QOL）各维度（限制性行为、心理影响、社交活动受限）评分及总分均升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：电针阴部神经刺激疗法联合Kegel盆底康复训练可有效改善产后SUI患者的盆底肌肌力和尿失禁情况,减少漏尿量,同时可促进尿流动力学恢复,进而提高患者的生活质量。     

低频电刺激结合康复训练对脊髓损伤神经源性膀胱患者排尿症状、膀胱功能及生活质量的影响

目的:探讨低频电刺激结合康复训练对脊髓损伤(SCI)诱发神经源性膀胱(NB)患者排尿症状、膀胱功能及生活质量的影响。方法:选取2017年3月～2019年12月期间我院收治的SCI诱发NB患者97例,根据随机数字表法分为对照组(n=48)和研究组(n=49),对照组患者予以康复训练,研究组在对照组基础上联合低频电刺激,比较两组患者排尿症状、膀胱功能、生活质量及并发症发生情况。结果:两组治疗2周后、治疗4周后日膀胱内压力、24 h单次排尿量、排尿次数、膀胱容量均较治疗前增加,且研究组高于对照组(P0.05);残余尿量均较治疗前下降,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗2周后、治疗4周后膀胱功能积分均较治疗前下降,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗4周后情感职能、躯体疼痛、精神健康、活力、生理职能、生理机能、健康状况、社会功能维度评分均升高,且研究组高于对照组(P0.05)。研究组并发症总发生率低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:低频电刺激结合康复训练治疗SCI诱发NB患者,可有效改善患者排尿症状,提高其膀胱功能及生活质量,同时还可减少并发症发生率,具有一定的临床应用价值。