This study explores the role of animal-assisted treatment in the inpatient stroke rehabilitation setting and contributes to the growing evidence base supporting animal-assisted interventions in healthcare. We hope you find the publication valuable and welcome sharing and discussion.
Shih, Hao-Yu, et al. “The Impact of Animal-Assisted Treatment on Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation.” Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Abstract:
Objective
To investigate the effects of animal-assisted treatment (AAT) on patients undergoing inpatient stroke rehabilitation.
Patients and Methods
Fifty hospitalized patients with a recent stroke were randomly assigned into either the control or experimental group. Patients in the control group received standard hospital-based stroke rehabilitation, including occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients in the experimental group participated in AAT-embedded stroke rehabilitation which involved the standard hospital-based treatment along with treatment sessions augmented with AAT. Patients’ emotions, motivation, activity level, and treatment outcomes were assessed using questionnaires, physiological parameters (cardiac activity, salivary cortisol, salivary oxytocin, and tympanic membrane temperature), functional performances, and physical activity level. This study was conducted from February 21, 2023, through February 7, 2024.
Results
Results demonstrated that, compared with patients participating in the standard stroke rehabilitation protocol (control), experimental group patients scored significantly higher on the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale (P=.0038), had a significantly higher physical activity counts per minute (P=.023), and remained mobile for a significantly higher percentage of time (P=.006). These results indicated that experimental group patients were more engaged and physically more active during the AAT-embedded stroke rehabilitation. Also, compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly increased differences of the root mean square of successive differences between consecutive normal heartbeats (P=.04) and the standard deviation of NN intervals between consecutive normal heartbeats (P=.032), indicating improvements in stress response in patients receiving the AAT-embedded sessions. Mood and other physiological responses were not statistically different between groups.
Conclusion
AAT-embedded stroke rehabilitation involving a therapy dog has a positive effect on patients’ activity level, motivation, and their engagement during inpatient stroke rehabilitation.