Premium
Therapeutic effects of dog visits in nursing homes for the elderly
Author(s) -
Thodberg Karen,
Sørensen Lisbeth Uhrskov,
Christensen Janne Winther,
Poulsen Pia Haun,
Houbak Birthe,
Damgaard Vibeke,
Keseler Ingrid,
Edwards David,
Videbech Poul B.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
psychogeriatrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.647
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1479-8301
pISSN - 1346-3500
DOI - 10.1111/psyg.12159
Subject(s) - geriatric depression scale , medicine , depression (economics) , mental state , physical therapy , gerontology , psychiatry , anxiety , depressive symptoms , economics , macroeconomics
Background Previous studies have suggested that visiting dogs can have positive effects on elderly people in nursing homes. We wanted to study the effects of biweekly dog visits on sleep patterns and the psychiatric well‐being of elderly people. Methods A total of 100 residents (median age: 85.5 years; [79; 90]) from four nursing homes were randomly assigned to receive biweekly visits for 6 weeks from a person accompanied by either a dog, a robot seal ( PARO ), or a soft toy cat. Sleep patterns were measured using actigraphy technology before, during (the third and sixth week), and after the series of visits. The participants were weighed and scored on the G eriatric D epression S cale, the G ottfries‐ B råne‐ S teen S cale, and the M ini‐ M ental S tate E xamination before and after the visit period. Results We found that sleep duration (min) increased in the third week when visitors were accompanied by a dog rather than the robot seal or soft toy cat (dog: 610 ± 127 min; seal: 498 ± 146 min; cat: 540 ± 163 min; F 2,37 = 4.99; P = 0.01). No effects were found in the sixth week or after the visit period had ended. We found that visit type had no effect on weight ( F 2,88 = 0.13; P > 0.05), body mass index ( F 2,86 = 0.33; P > 0.05), G eriatric D epression S cale ( F 2,82 = 0.85; P > 0.05), G ottfries‐ B råne‐ S teen S cale ( F 2,90 = 0.41; P > 0.05), or M ini‐ M ental S tate E xamination ( F 2,91 = 0.35; P > 0.05). Furthermore, we found a decrease in the G eriatric D epression S cale during the experimental period ( S = −420; P < 0.05), whereas cognitive impairment worsened as shown by a decrease in M ini‐ M ental S tate E xamination score ( S = −483; P < 0.05) and an increase in the G ottfries‐ B råne‐ S teen S cale ( t = 2.06; P < 0.05). Conclusion Visit type did not affect the long‐term mental state of the participants. The causal relationship between sleep duration and dog‐accompanied visits remains to be explored.