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Animal-Assisted Intervention Improves Pain Perception in Polymedicated Geriatric Patients with Chronic Joint Pain: A Clinical Trial

Author

Listed:
  • Maylos Rodrigo-Claverol

    (Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 Lleida, Spain
    Nursing and Physiotherapy Faculty, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain)

  • Carles Casanova-Gonzalvo

    (Nursing and Physiotherapy Faculty, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain)

  • Belén Malla-Clua

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

  • Esther Rodrigo-Claverol

    (Primary Health Care Center Primer de Maig, Catalan Institute of Health, 25003 Lleida, Spain)

  • Júlia Jové-Naval

    (Primary Health Care Center Bordeta-Magraners, Catalan Institute of Health, 25001 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), 25007 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

Chronic joint pain is associated to an increase in the consumption of medication and decrease in life quality in elderly people, which requires developing non-pharmacological treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectivity of a group intervention, based on animal-assisted therapy and applied to elderly people with chronic joint pain and polymedication, regarding the decrease of chronic pain, use of analgesics and improvement of life quality. A randomized controlled trial, two arms and open-label was conducted in a Primary Health Center. Twelve weekly sessions of kinesitherapy; in the EG, these exercises were performed with the additional assistance of the therapy dog. A total of 52 participants (22 Control Group (CG), 30 EG), average age 77.50 (±7.3), women 90.4%. A significant reduction on post-intervention values of pain β = −0.67(−1.27, −0.08), p = 0.03 and pain induced insomnia β = −0.53(−1.01, −0.05), p = 0.03 was found in EG for increasing baseline values. Animal-assisted therapy leads to an additional reduction in the perception of pain and pain induced insomnia in individuals with higher baseline severity. The presence of the dog improves the attachment to intervention and the satisfaction of the participants.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:16:p:2843-:d:256091
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eloise C.J. Carr & Jean E. Wallace & Rianne Pater & Douglas P. Gross, 2019. "Evaluating the Relationship between Well-Being and Living with a Dog for People with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-16, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aubrey H. Fine, 2020. "The Psycho-Social Impact of Human-Animal Interactions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-4, June.
    2. 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.
    3. Hye-Ja Gu & Oi-Sun Lee, 2023. "Effects of Non-Pharmacological Sleep Interventions in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.

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