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Animal-Assisted Therapy Improves Communication and Mobility among Institutionalized People with Cognitive Impairment.

ABSTRACT: Disorders of communication, social relationships, and psychomotricity are often characterized by cognitive impairment, which hinders daily activities and increases the risk of falls. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in an institutionalized geriatric population with cognitive impairment. The variables evaluated included level of communication and changes in gait and/or balance. We performed a two-arm, parallel controlled, open-label, nonrandomized cluster clinical trial in two nursing home centers from an urban area. Patients in the two centers received 12 weekly sessions of physiotherapy, but the experimental group included AAT with a therapy dog. The study included a total of 46 patients (23 Control Group [CG], 23 Experimental Group [EG]) with a median age of 85.0 years. Of these, 32.6% had mild-moderate cognitive decline (Global Deterioration Scale of Reisberg [GDS] 2-4) and 67.4% severe cognitive decline (GDS 5-6). After the intervention, patients in the CG and EG showed a statistically significant improvement in all the response variables. When comparing both groups, no statistically significant differences were found in any of the Tinetti scale results (measuring gait and balance). However, the communication of patients in the EG, measured on the Holden scale, showed a statistically significant greater improvement postintervention than that of patients in the CG. AAT can be useful as a complementary, effective treatment for patients with different degrees of cognitive decline.

SUBMITTER: Rodrigo-Claverol M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7459682 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Animal-Assisted Therapy Improves Communication and Mobility among Institutionalized People with Cognitive Impairment.

Rodrigo-Claverol Maylos M Malla-Clua Belén B Marquilles-Bonet Carme C Sol Joaquim J Jové-Naval Júlia J Sole-Pujol Meritxell M Ortega-Bravo Marta M

International journal of environmental research and public health 20200814 16

Disorders of communication, social relationships, and psychomotricity are often characterized by cognitive impairment, which hinders daily activities and increases the risk of falls. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) program in an institutionalized geriatric population with cognitive impairment. The variables evaluated included level of communication and changes in gait and/or balance. We performed a two-arm, parallel controlled, open-label, nonrandomi ...[more]

PMID: 32823839

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Mobility is a key outcome in older patients with cognitive impairment. The de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) is an established measure of older people's mobility that is promising for use in older patients with cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to examine the DEMMI's psychometric properties in older patients with dementia, delirium or other cognitive impairment. METHODS:This cross-sectional study was performed in a geriatric hospital and includes older acute medical patients with cognitive impairment indicated by a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≤ 24 points. A Rasch analysis was performed to check the DEMMI's unidimensionality. Construct validity was assessed by testing 13 hypotheses about expected correlations between the DEMMI and outcome measures of similar or related constructs, and about expected differences of DEMMI scores between groups differing in mobility related characteristics. Administration times were recorded. RESULTS:A sample of 153 patients with mild (MMSE 19-24 points; 63%) and moderate (MMSE: 10-18 points; 37%) cognitive impairment was included (age range: 65-99 years; mean MMSE: 19 ± 4, range: 8-24 points; diagnosis of dementia and delirium: 40% and 18%, respectively). Rasch analysis indicated unidimensionality with an overall fit to the model (P = 0.107). Internal consistency reliability was excellent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92). Eleven out of 13 (85%) hypotheses on construct validity were confirmed. The DEMMI showed good feasibility, and no adverse events occurred. The mean administration time of 5 min (range: 1-10) was not influenced by the level of cognitive impairment. In contrast to some other comparator instruments, no floor or ceiling effects were evident for the DEMMI. CONCLUSIONS:Results indicate sufficient psychometric properties of the DEMMI in older patients with cognitive impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION:German Clinical Trials Register ( DRKS00005591 ). Registered February 2, 2015.

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Animal-Assisted Therapy Improves Communication and Mobility among Institutionalized People with Cognitive Impairment.

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Animal-Assisted Therapy Improves Communication and Mobility among Institutionalized People with Cognitive Impairment.

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