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Animal-Assisted Therapy Improves Communication and Mobility among Institutionalized People with Cognitive Impairment

Author

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  • Maylos Rodrigo-Claverol

    (Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain
    Ilerkan Association, 25005 Lleida, Spain)

  • Belén Malla-Clua

    (Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Carme Marquilles-Bonet

    (Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain)

  • Joaquim Sol

    (Research Support Unit Lleida, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08007 Barcelona, Spain
    Institut Català de la Salut, Atenció Primària, 25007 Lleida, Spain
    Metabolic Physiopathology Research Group, Experimental Medicine Department, Lleida University-Lleida Biochemical Research Institute (UdL-IRBLleida), 25198 Lleida, Spain)

  • Júlia Jové-Naval

    (Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain
    Ilerkan Association, 25005 Lleida, Spain)

  • Meritxell Sole-Pujol

    (Ilerkan Association, 25005 Lleida, Spain)

  • Marta Ortega-Bravo

    (Research Support Unit Lleida, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08007 Barcelona, Spain
    Institut Català de la Salut, Atenció Primària, 25007 Lleida, Spain
    Research Group in Therapies in Primary Care, Research Support Unit Lleida, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08007 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Disorders of communication, social relationships, and psychomotricity are often characterized by cognitive impairment, which hinders daily activities and increases the risk of falls. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in an institutionalized geriatric population with cognitive impairment. The variables evaluated included level of communication and changes in gait and/or balance. We performed a two-arm, parallel controlled, open-label, nonrandomized cluster clinical trial in two nursing home centers from an urban area. Patients in the two centers received 12 weekly sessions of physiotherapy, but the experimental group included AAT with a therapy dog. The study included a total of 46 patients (23 Control Group [CG], 23 Experimental Group [EG]) with a median age of 85.0 years. Of these, 32.6% had mild–moderate cognitive decline (Global Deterioration Scale of Reisberg [GDS] 2–4) and 67.4% severe cognitive decline (GDS 5–6). After the intervention, patients in the CG and EG showed a statistically significant improvement in all the response variables. When comparing both groups, no statistically significant differences were found in any of the Tinetti scale results (measuring gait and balance). However, the communication of patients in the EG, measured on the Holden scale, showed a statistically significant greater improvement postintervention than that of patients in the CG. AAT can be useful as a complementary, effective treatment for patients with different degrees of cognitive decline.

Suggested Citation

  • Maylos Rodrigo-Claverol & Belén Malla-Clua & Carme Marquilles-Bonet & Joaquim Sol & Júlia Jové-Naval & Meritxell Sole-Pujol & Marta Ortega-Bravo, 2020. "Animal-Assisted Therapy Improves Communication and Mobility among Institutionalized People with Cognitive Impairment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:16:p:5899-:d:398886
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maylos Rodrigo-Claverol & Carles Casanova-Gonzalvo & Belén Malla-Clua & Esther Rodrigo-Claverol & Júlia Jové-Naval & Marta Ortega-Bravo, 2019. "Animal-Assisted Intervention Improves Pain Perception in Polymedicated Geriatric Patients with Chronic Joint Pain: A Clinical Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-20, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luis Galhardas & Armando Raimundo & Jesús Del Pozo-Cruz & José Marmeleira, 2022. "Physical and Motor Fitness Tests for Older Adults Living in Nursing Homes: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-29, April.
    2. Emanuela Roscetto & Chiara Varriale & Umberto Galdiero & Camilla Esposito & Maria Rosaria Catania, 2021. "Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing and Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales in Companion and Animal-Assisted Interventions Dogs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-10, December.

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