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Evaluating the Relationship between Well-Being and Living with a Dog for People with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study

Author

Listed:
  • Eloise C.J. Carr

    (Faculty of Nursing, Professional Faculties Building, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Jean E. Wallace

    (Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Rianne Pater

    (Faculty of Nursing, Professional Faculties Building, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Douglas P. Gross

    (Department of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, 2-50 Corbett Hall, 8205 114St., Edmonton, AB T6G 2G4, Canada)

Abstract

Chronic low back pain is a significant societal and personal burden that negatively impacts quality of life. Dog ownership has been associated with health benefits. This study evaluated the feasibility of surveying people with chronic low back pain to assess the relationship between dog ownership and well-being. A mail-out survey was sent to 210 adult patients with chronic low back pain. Measures of quality of life, pain, physical activity, emotional health, social ties and dog ownership were included. Feasibility was assessed by examining survey response rate, responses to established and newly developed measures, and the potential relationships between dog ownership and a number of key well-being variables in this patient population. There were 56 completed surveys returned ( n = 36 non-dog owners and n = 20 dog owners). Established, adapted and newly developed scales revealed promising results. Dog owners reported fewer depression and anxiety symptoms, and more social ties than non-dog owners. Living with a dog may be associated with improved well-being for people with chronic pain. The findings from this feasibility study will inform a general population survey, to be conducted with a larger, more representative sample of people living with chronic pain.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:8:p:1472-:d:225948
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wood, Lisa & Giles-Corti, Billie & Bulsara, Max, 2005. "The pet connection: Pets as a conduit for social capital?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(6), pages 1159-1173, September.
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    3. Gregg K. Takashima & Michael J. Day, 2014. "Setting the One Health Agenda and the Human–Companion Animal Bond," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-11, October.
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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. Alexander Muela & Josune Azpiroz & Noelia Calzada & Goretti Soroa & Aitor Aritzeta, 2019. "Leaving A Mark , An Animal-Assisted Intervention Programme for Children Who Have Been Exposed to Gender-Based Violence: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    3. Gabriele Schwarzmueller-Erber & Manfred Maier & Michael Kundi, 2020. "Pet Attachment and Wellbeing of Older-Aged Recreational Horseback Riders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-14, March.
    4. 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.
    5. Kyung-Duk Min & Woo-Hyun Kim & Seongbeom Cho & Sung-il Cho, 2019. "Owners’ Attitudes toward Their Companion Dogs Are Associated with the Owners’ Depression Symptoms—An Exploratory Study in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-12, September.

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