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Influences of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Episodic Memory in Patients with Acquired Brain Injuries

Author

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  • Felicitas Theis

    (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 62a, 4055 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Frank Luck

    (Gender Studies, University of Basel, Rheinsprung 21, 4051 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Margret Hund-Georgiadis

    (REHAB Basel, Clinic for neurorehabilitation and paraplegiology, Im Burgfelderhof 49, 4055 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Karin Hediger

    (Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Missionsstrasse 62a, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
    REHAB Basel, Clinic for neurorehabilitation and paraplegiology, Im Burgfelderhof 49, 4055 Basel, Switzerland
    Swiss Tropical- and Public Health Institute, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Socinstrasse 57, 4051 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is shown to be an effective method to foster neurorehabilitation. However, no studies investigate long-term effects of AAT in patients with acquired brain injuries. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to investigate if and how AAT affects long-term episodic memory using a mixed-method approach. Eight patients rated pictures of therapy sessions with and without animals that they attended two years ago. Wilcoxon tests calculated differences in patients’ memory and experienced emotions between therapy sessions with or without animals. We also analyzed interviews of six of these patients with qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. Patients remembered therapy sessions in the presence of an animal significantly better and rated them as more positive compared to standard therapy sessions without animals (Z = −3.21, p = 0.002, g = 0.70; Z = −2.75, p = 0.006, g = 0.96). Qualitative data analysis resulted in a total of 23 categories. The most frequently addressed categories were “Positive emotions regarding animals” and “Good memory of animals”. This pilot study provides first evidence that AAT might enhance episodic memory via positive emotions in patients with acquired brain injury.

Suggested Citation

  • Felicitas Theis & Frank Luck & Margret Hund-Georgiadis & Karin Hediger, 2020. "Influences of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Episodic Memory in Patients with Acquired Brain Injuries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8466-:d:445544
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    Cited by:

    1. Ho-Jung An & Shin-Jun Park, 2021. "Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Gait Performance, Respiratory Function, and Psychological Variables in Patients Post-Stroke," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-13, May.

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