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Effect of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Patients in the Department of Long-Term Care: A Pilot Study

Author

Listed:
  • Kristýna Machová

    (Department of Ethology and companion animal science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources Czech University of Life Sciences, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Radka Procházková

    (Department of Statistics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Czech University of Life Sciences, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Petra Eretová

    (Department of Ethology and companion animal science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources Czech University of Life Sciences, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Ivona Svobodová

    (Department of Ethology and companion animal science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources Czech University of Life Sciences, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Ilja Kotík

    (Department of Long Term Care, Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Central Military Hospital—Military University Hospital in Prague, 16902 Prague, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Long-term hospital stays might have a negative psychosocial impact on our patients. One way to positively activate hospitalized patients is to introduce animal-assisted therapy (AAT). A total of 72 individuals participated in this research. The experimental group comprised 33 patients (8 males, 25 females), while the control group contained 39 patients (11 men, 28 women). The participants in the control group were aged from 58 to 100 years and the experimental group featured participants aged from 51 to 95, for whom AAT was included alongside standard care. Blood pressure, heart rate, Barthel index, and general mood were measured in both groups. Results did not reveal any changes in blood pressure, heart rate, or Barthel index in comparison between groups. A great influence was noted in assessment of the mood of the patients. The inclusion of AAT did not affect physiological parameters, but it exerted a significant effect on the psychological well-being of the patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Kristýna Machová & Radka Procházková & Petra Eretová & Ivona Svobodová & Ilja Kotík, 2019. "Effect of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Patients in the Department of Long-Term Care: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-10, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:8:p:1362-:d:223069
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