Animal-Assisted Activity Among Patients With Cancer: Effects on Mood, Fatigue, Self-Perceived Health, and Sense of Coherence

Johnson, Rebecca A.; Meadows, Richard L.; Haubner, Jennifer S.; Sevedge, Kathleen

doi:10.1188/08.onf.225-232

Cited by 81 publications

(104 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The other studies lacking or low in internal validity include Anderson and Olson (2006) Two of the studies, Johnson et al (2008) and Phelps et al (2008) were fairly strong methodologically but reported no differences between the experimental group and the control group. In these two studies not only were there no significant differences across conditions but there were no systematic improvements in any of the groups.…”

Section: Specific Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Construct Validity of Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities: How Important Is the Animal in AAT?

Marino

2012

Anthrozoös

104

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Section: Specific Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Construct Validity of Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities: How Important Is the Animal in AAT?

Marino

2012

Anthrozoös

104

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“…6,7 Pet therapy interventions have been shown to assist coping and improve patient responses to symptoms. 6 Previous research indicates that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) enhances physical, physiological, and psychological health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal-Assisted Therapy and Counseling Support for Women With Breast Cancer

et al. 2015

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Background. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) interventions have been shown to assist in coping and improve patient responses to symptoms. Specifically, the presence of an animal has been found to lower anxiety and motivate participation in therapy. We aimed to explore the acceptability of and experience of AAT during individual breast cancer counseling sessions. Methods. Patients undertaking counseling with a therapy dog present were invited to participate in the study. Patients were individually interviewed and asked to reflect on their experiences of AAT. Data generation and analysis were concurrent. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using a process of constant comparison. Results. Our sample included 8 female participants, 39 to 61 years old, at an average of 3 years post-breast cancer diagnosis. The majority of patients reported a positive experience with AAT. Themes that emerged around their counseling experience included benefits in the process of initiating counseling and benefits for greater engagement and personal disclosure. Conclusions. Incorporating AAT into the delivery of counseling for breast cancer patients appears to be feasible and acceptable at a patient level. From a clinical perspective, AAT promoted increased communication with health professionals. This is of clinical importance as a means to improve participation and engagement in therapy-important elements in therapeutic outcomes. However, further evaluation of the impact of AAT on specific patient outcomes and psychological morbidity is required.

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“…One study indicated that the dog diverts the attention of the child who is under emotional distress (Johnson et al 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of animal-assisted activity on self-reported feelings of pain in hospitalized children and adolescents

Ichitani

Cunha

2016

Psicol. Refl. Crít.

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Animal-assisted intervention (AAI) is an approach recently introduced into the hospital environment to improve the quality of hospitalization and provide important benefits for patients with chronic diseases and long-term hospitalizations. This work aims to verify the effects of animal-assisted activity (AAA) on the expression and quality of self-reported pain in hospitalized children and adolescents, while considering the subjects' subjectivity. The participants were 17 hospitalized children/adolescents of both genders, aged 7 years and older, who complained of pain. Two therapy dogs were selected for the intervention according to the criteria of international protocols. The participants were asked an open question ("How would you describe your pain?"). After the question, an AAA session, which lasted between 5 and 10 min, was held with random activities spontaneously chosen by the subject. The open question was asked again at the end of the session, without the presence of the dog. Positive effects were observed in this population with regard to a decrease in self-reported pain. These results suggest that there is a possible symbolic elaboration of pain by the subject, in which the dog might represent acceptance and affection at a moment of great emotional suffering.

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Animal-Assisted Activity Among Patients With Cancer: Effects on Mood, Fatigue, Self-Perceived Health, and Sense of Coherence

Cited by 81 publications

References 16 publications

Construct Validity of Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities: How Important Is the Animal in AAT?

Construct Validity of Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities: How Important Is the Animal in AAT?

Animal-Assisted Therapy and Counseling Support for Women With Breast Cancer

Effects of animal-assisted activity on self-reported feelings of pain in hospitalized children and adolescents

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