Critical Review of Research Methods Used to Consider the Impact of Human–Animal Interaction on Older Adults’ Health

Abstract

We suggest emerging methodologies that may be helpful for answering important questions from all three perspectives about the relationship of HAI to health outcomes for older adults.

Pet Ownership and Human–Animal Interaction in an Aging Population: Rewards and Challenges

“…In all these cross-sectional studies reporting beneficial or negative associations with pet ownership, the causality is not clear. More research is needed to investigate if pet ownership 1) leads to better physical and mental health or puts a person at risk of developing depression, or 2) if these results just reflect the tendency of healthier or more depressed individuals to acquire a pet as a result of their condition (Friedmann & Gee, 2018). Although these mechanisms are not clear yet, the current body of data suggests that pet ownership is associated with some significant benefits for older adults and that companion animals can help to maintain and enhance the quality of life of older adults (Gee et al, 2017;McNicholas, 2014).…”

“…Research investigating the effects of companion animal contact for older people in nursing homes has reported positive effects on agitation, depression, quality of life, and balance (Banks & Banks, 2002;Bernabei et al, 2013;Berry et al, 2012;Karefjard & Nordgren, 2018;Le Roux & Kemp, 2009;Nordgren & Engström, 2014;Olsen, Pedersen, Bergland, Enders-Slegers, Patil et al, 2016). However, the existing body of research on animal-assisted interventions, visiting animals, and resident animals in long-term care facilities is not yet very rigorous (Friedmann & Gee, 2018). Well-controlled, larger-scale studies are needed to advance our knowledge of the benefits and risks of these programs for patients and participating animals.…”

Effects of Proximity between Companion Dogs and Their Caregivers on Heart Rate Variability Measures in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

“…This study was novel in several respects, notably measuring multiple outcomes (including HRV) and predictors/covariates minute-by-minute simultaneously in freely moving dogs over 10-15 days. A recent review by experts in human-animal interaction specified the need to simultaneously examine owners' and pets' interactions on biomarkers to provide a better understanding of their impact on healthy aging [16]. This recommendation is in harmony with the One Health approach to animal-assisted interventions, which recognizes that the health of people is connected to the health of animals and the environment, and aims to ensure that added value or synergistic benefits can be achieved in both members of the dyad [17,18].…”

Human-Animal Interaction Research: Progress and Possibilities

“…Although the initial studies funded under the PPP were constrained to those that would address the developmental mission of NICHD, the range of ages represented across the 13 studies is nonetheless impressive, with age of human participants ranging from 4-month-old infants (Hurley and Oakes, 2018) to adolescents (Pendry et al, 2018) and young adults (Syzmanski et al, 2018). The inclusion of a broad age range is important to document variations in HAI with development, and indeed, across the lifespan (Friedmann and Gee, 2018). Funding opportunities under the PPP were later expanded to include people with disabilities and those in need of rehabilitative services, further broadening the range of human participants (although this is not represented in this Research Topic because those studies are ongoing).…”