Animal-Assisted Intervention and Dementia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This review discusses the relationship between animal-assisted interventions (AAI) and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). A systematic search was conducted within CINAHL, Web of Science CAB Abstracts, PubMed, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, Google Scholar, and PsycINFO for primary research articles. A total of 32 studies were included in the final review. Variation was noted in study designs and in study setting. Twenty-seven of 32 studies used dogs as the intervention. Agitation/aggression showed a significant decrease in nine of 15 studies. Eleven of 12 studies demonstrated increased social interaction with AAI. Mood had mixed results in nine studies. Quality of life was increased in three of four studies. Resident activity and nutritional intake were each increased in two studies. Animal assisted activities/interventions showed a strong positive effect on social behaviors, physical activity, and dietary intake in dementia patients and a positive effect on agitation/aggression and quality of life.

Effects of an animal‐assisted intervention on social behaviour, emotions, and behavioural and psychological symptoms in nursing home residents with dementia

“…A recent systematic review by Yakimicki et al . discussed the relationship between AAIs and the occurrence of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia . The majority of the 32 studies included in the review highlight various benefits of using AAI to alleviate some symptoms or to improve social behaviour.…”

“…8,[14][15][16][17][18][19] A recent systematic review by Yakimicki et al discussed the relationship between AAIs and the occurrence of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. 20 The majority of the 32 studies included in the review highlight various benefits of using AAI to alleviate some symptoms or to improve social behaviour. However, there were some important limiting factors, such as widely varying study designs and statistical methods, making it difficult to compare studies.…”

Recognizing Animals as an Important Part of Helping

“…Studies on AAI with supportive findings have involved older adults with dementia (Dell, et al, 2018;Yakimicki, Edwards, Richards, & Beck, 2018), elderly adults (Bernabei et al, 2013;Berry et al, 2012;Bert et al, 2016;Holt, Johnson, Yaglom, & Brenner, 2015;Virués-Ortega et al, 2012), and adults with intellectual disabilities (Maber-Aleksandrowicz, Avent, & Hassiotis, 2016) and cognitive impairment (Hu, Zhang, Leng, Li, & Chen, 2018). The benefits of AAI have also been reported through research with adults in corrections (Burger, Stetina, Turner, Mcelheney, & Handlos, 2011;Dell & Poole, 2015), adults recovering from surgery (Havey et al, 2014), adults and children in varying hospital wards (Bert et al, 2016;Phung et al, 2017;Silva & Osório, 2018;Stefanini et al, 2016;Stempien, et al, 2019), people who use drugs (Burger et al, 2011;, and university or college students (Barker et al, 2016;Bell, 2013;Binfet, 2017;Binfet & Passmore, 2016;Binfet & Struik, 2018;Crossman et al, 2015;Dell et al, 2015;Grajfoner et al, 2017;Jarolmen & Patel, 2018;Stewart et al, 2014).…”

Elephant in the room: animal assisted interventions

“…Scientific studies have shown proof of concept for animal assisted interventions and reported promising findings for a range of psychosocial, emotional, and physiological outcomes across the life span 78910. One randomised pilot study, for example, tested a cognitive behavioural intervention teaching dog training skills (“how to be a good dog trainer”) to children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.…”