Efficacy of animal‐assisted therapy adapted to reality orientation therapy: measurement of salivary cortisol

Menna, Lucia Francesca; Santaniello, Antonio; Gerardi, Federica; Sansone, Mario; Maggio, Annamaria Di; Palma, Annalisa Di; Perruolo, Giuseppe; D’Esposito, Vittoria; Formisano, Pietro

doi:10.1111/psyg.12418

Cited by 19 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…These may be measured behaviourally, or indeed through biological functions, such as salivary chromogranin A (CgA), blood pressure and so forth. Eleven of the studies 27,28,31,[33][34][35][36]38,[44][45][46] investigated the value and efficacy of dog-assisted interventions in areas specially related to mood, although other studies less specifically also crossed into this area.…”

Section: Effects Of Dog-assisted Interventions In Relation To Measurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Trained assistance dogs for people with dementia: a systematic review

Marks,

McVilly

2020

Psychogeriatrics

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This systematic review investigated evidence for the effectiveness of trained assistance dogs as an intervention and support for people with dementia. Peer‐reviewed articles were retrieved from multiple databases (SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Google Scholar). Reference lists of the articles retrieved were also screened to identify key authors for inclusion. Articles were subject to a quality review, and the results synthesised to address the research questions. Both qualitative and quantitative data were reported. There was evidence of the potential positive effects of dog‐assisted interventions in relation to mood, prosocial behaviours, activities of daily living and/or quality of life, cognitive impairment and symptoms specific to dementia, and existential functions. However, the form and quality of the studies varied considerably. It was concluded that further research is needed, particularly for those with younger onset dementia (YOD), for whom there were no specific studies available. Attention needs to be given to establishing adequate‐sized samples and designs incorporating control groups. Research would benefit from employing mixed‐methods, allowing for the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data. For deteriorating conditions such as the dementias, studies need to be conducted over time. Furthermore, given the important place family members play in the lives of those with dementia, the effects of dog‐assisted interventions on the wider family should also be considered.

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Section: Effects Of Dog-assisted Interventions In Relation To Measurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, once again, results appeared inconclusive and would have benefitted from matching with contemporaneous quantitative data. The work of Menna et al 34,48 showed slight statistically significant improvement using animal-assisted therapy with formal reality orientation protocols.…”

Section: What Did the Papers Show Overall?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Trained assistance dogs for people with dementia: a systematic review

Marks,

McVilly

2020

Psychogeriatrics

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“…In contrast, our study represents the first evaluation of P. multocida risk infection in dogs being trained as co-therapists in AAT. In fact, this non-pharmacological therapy has been performed in healthcare settings such as hospitals or healthcare facilities and is often aimed at patients belonging to risk categories (e.g., dialysis patients, Alzheimer’s disease patients, and immunosuppressed or immunocompromised patients) [ 7 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. In line with the current literature, the zoonotic risk is much higher for immunocompromised people but is also present for immunocompetent people [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 41 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in Dogs Being Trained for Animal-Assisted Therapy

Santaniello

Garzillo

Amato

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a non-pharmacological therapy aimed at people with physical and/or mental disabilities. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out interventions that guarantee its benefits for patients while also avoiding the risk of zoonoses due to contact with the animals or their mucous membranes. The present study aimed to detect the occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in the oral cavity of dogs attending a “dog educational centre” and training for AAT interventions. In addition, some of the potential predictable factors of infection (i.e., age, sex, breed, and living conditions) were analyzed. In total, 25/200 dogs examined (12.5%; 95% confidence interval = 8.4–18.1%) were positive for P. multocida, as confirmed by PCR. Sex, breed, and living conditions were risk factors associated with P. multocida as revealed by the logistic regression analysis. Specifically, cross-bred female dogs living prevalently outdoors were significantly associated with the presence of P. multocida (p < 0.05). This study represents the first epidemiological survey of the prevalence of P. multocida in the oral cavity of dogs involved subsequently in AAT interventions, highlighting the potential risk of P. multocida infection in patients, often belonging to risk categories (e.g., children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals). Therefore, healthcare guidelines could be suggested to integrate the current literature related to the health check of dogs involved in AAT. In this way, it could be ensured that, even with bodily contact during AAT, the risk of pathogen transmission by the co-therapist dog can be avoided.

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“…Menna et al [ 11 , 12 ] showed how through repeated verbal, visual, and tactile multimodal stimulations, these interventions are applicable and effective in cognitive stimulation and emotional improvement of the patient, acting on mood and enabling non-medicalization of the symptom through “structured play” with the dog.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The present work aimed to carry out a retrospective study that included all patients with mild-to-moderate AD, who in the period 2012–2019 received AAT interventions adapted to the reality orientation therapy (ROT) protocol as reported by Menna et al [ 11 , 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal-Assisted Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Approach in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Retrospective Study

Santaniello

Garzillo

Amato

et al. 2020

Animals

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Recently, many efforts have been made to assess the effectiveness of non-pharmacological therapies as an alternative or supportive option to conventional approaches. Specifically, animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has recently raised a great interest and large research efforts. This work represents a retrospective study carried out over seven years (from 2012 to 2019) in 127 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The patients were divided into three groups: an experimental group that received AAT interventions adapted to the formal reality orientation therapy (ROT), a group receiving a formal ROT, and a control group that did not perform any of the previous therapies. All sessions, for all patient groups, were held weekly for a total period of six months. The evaluation of cognitive function was performed through the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), while the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) assessed the depressive state. Test administration to all patients was performed before the start of the first session (T0) and after the last session (T1). The results obtained showed an improvement in the values in the GDS and MMSE tests. The variations between the average MMSE values between T1 and T0 were 0.94 ± 0.9 (SD), 0.15 ± 0.62, and −0.42 ± 0.45 in the AAT group, ROT group, and control (CTRL) group, respectively. The variations between the average GDS values between T1 and T0 were −1.12 ± 1.17 (SD), −0.42 ± 1.21, and 0.12 ± 0.66 in the AAT group, ROT group, and CTRL group, respectively. Based on our findings, we can therefore affirm how the study carried out confirms the potential of AAT performed by Federico II Model of Healthcare Zooanthropology, and particularly its efficacy in the treatment of cognitive deficits deriving from Alzheimer’s disease.

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Efficacy of animal‐assisted therapy adapted to reality orientation therapy: measurement of salivary cortisol

Cited by 19 publications

References 6 publications

Trained assistance dogs for people with dementia: a systematic review

Trained assistance dogs for people with dementia: a systematic review

Occurrence of Pasteurella multocida in Dogs Being Trained for Animal-Assisted Therapy

Animal-Assisted Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Approach in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Retrospective Study

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