Animal-Assisted Interventions for Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Busch, Caroline; Tucha, Lara; Talarovičová, Alžbeta; Fuermaier, Anselm B. M.; Lewis-Evans, Ben; Tucha, Oliver

doi:10.1177/0033294115626633

Cited by 34 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 139 publications

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“…As semi-experimental study, the possible effect on the results by the residential treatment itself has to be taken into account. Nevertheless, the results obtained seem to follow the line of other studies that denote the usefulness of AAT with minors [48], substance abuse disorders [46,49], ADHD [39], neuro-rehabilitation [47] and ASD [41]. We did not register past dog ownership; it should be considered in future studies as a covariant.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…From the data obtained, and taking into account other studies [38], it can be concluded that the implementation of AAT resulted in an encouraging improvement in impulsiveness, which is linked to improvement of psychopathology and, specifically, substance abuse disorders themselves. The decrease in impulsiveness in patients reflects the results obtained in research derived from other applications of AAT, such as studies in attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), where AAT is applied in a complementary way, obtaining a positive reduction in symptoms and impulsiveness [39,40]. Regarding the improvement in life skills obtained after the implementation of AAT in patients with dual pathology, other studies have demonstrated similar results.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

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Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Residential Treatment of Dual Pathology

Montolio

Sancho‐Pelluz

2019

IJERPH

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Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a complementary intervention of therapy that has shown positive results in the treatment of various pathologies. This study assesses the viability of the implementation and the effectiveness of an AAT program in patients diagnosed with substance abuse disorder and associated mental disorders (dual pathology). For the study, a dynamic prospective cohort was used, consisting of 43 patients in residential treatment. The program consisted of 10 sessions with a duration of about 60 min, where data was collected in the 3rd, 6th and 10th sessions. The Life Skills Profile questionnaire (LSP) and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) were used for subsequent evaluation. Patients who participated in the program showed an improvement in daily skills, which favoured a better quality of life and decreased impulsiveness, enabling them to regain self-control. These results suggest that the dog can be a multi-sensory stimulus that captures attention, and improves motivation, cooperation and patient involvement in therapy. It was concluded that AAT can serve as an adjunctive therapy in the rehabilitation processes of people diagnosed with dual pathology.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Residential Treatment of Dual Pathology

Montolio

Sancho‐Pelluz

2019

IJERPH

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“…It may give rise to the same feeling to discover the moose droppings lying on the path where we are The fact that farm animals can have positive effects on especially unfocused and loud children who have difficulties sitting still and have problems with concentration ability is also described in other studies [21,22]. In a review on the effect of animal-assisted interventions on children with ADHD, it is concluded that animals have positive effects on several core symptoms [61].…”

Section: Encounters With the Wild Animalsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Improved Wellbeing for Both Caretakers and Users from A Zoo-Related Nature Based Intervention—A Study at Nordens Ark Zoo, Sweden

Sahlin

Johansson²,

Karlsson³

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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Nature-based interventions have been proposed to promote physical and mental health and give stress reduction. Little attention has been given to the potential of zoos for human health and wellbeing. A disadvantaged group in Sweden regarding access to nature are individuals with disabilities who consequently do not have the same access to these health benefits as other groups. To increase awareness and knowledge regarding spending time in nature and with animals, courses directed at caretakers for persons with disabilities and their users were held at Nordens Ark, a zoo in Sweden. To explore if the courses had led to increased nature activities, and if participating in the courses had affected caretakers’ and their users’ health and wellbeing, questionnaires and interviews for evaluating the courses were used. The results showed improved quality in nature visits because of course participation as well as positive effects for the wellbeing, sustainability for the caregivers and users in their working lives, and relationships were positively affected. The conclusion from this study is that nature and animal-based education should be more frequent to provide opportunities for a disadvantaged group to have the positive effects of nature of which most other groups have obvious access to.

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“…Systematic reviews of the literature have been conducted to examine the impact of AAI on the health and well-being of children and adolescents [32][33][34][35], and despite the positive results obtained by different authors; criticisms persist with regard to the methodology used and the shortage of protocols. In our study the whole intervention was planned in advance and strict animal welfare and zoonosis prevention protocols were followed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal-assisted Therapy for the Emotional Well-being of Children with Intellectual Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders

Rodrigo-Claverol¹,

Malla-Clua²,

Rodrigo-Claverol³

et al. 2018

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Studies conducted in educational settings show that animals attract and maintain the attention of children. The calming effects of animals are especially valuable in children with attention deficit, hyperactivity and behavioral disorders. The primary goal was to improve the emotional well-being, in a special education school, of children with intellectual disabilities, attention problems and/or hyperactivity and behavioral disorders. A Longitudinal, Observational Study was designed, which consisted of a community intervention based on animal-assisted therapy (AAT), and performed at a Primary Care Center (PCC). Twelve weekly group sessions were held with therapy dogs; a nurse and a doctor from the PCC participated with training in AAT as well as teachers. The intervention was carried out in two classrooms at the school. The sample size was 12 children with an average age of 12.7 (SD±4.4) years. Variables studied: attention, happiness, relaxed, respect of turn. The overall improvement of the four variables was statistically significant (p <0.001), evolving in an ascending and progressive way. Throughout the sessions, a work dynamic was achieved with improved attention and respect of turns; happiness and relaxation that reflect emotional well-being remain at high levels, with the dog acting as a facilitator of the therapy. Primary Health Care can contribute to improving the quality of life of children with special needs and at risk of social exclusion by means of community interventions.

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Animal-Assisted Interventions for Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Cited by 34 publications

References 139 publications

Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Residential Treatment of Dual Pathology

Animal-Assisted Therapy in the Residential Treatment of Dual Pathology

Improved Wellbeing for Both Caretakers and Users from A Zoo-Related Nature Based Intervention—A Study at Nordens Ark Zoo, Sweden

Animal-assisted Therapy for the Emotional Well-being of Children with Intellectual Disabilities and Behavioral Disorders

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