Evidence of Animal-Assisted Therapy in Neurological Diseases in Adults: A Systematic Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Natalia García-Casares¹  Alba De la Plana Maestre²  María del Carmen Rodríguez-Martínez³  Juan Antonio Armenta-Peinado³  Miguel Ángel Barbancho⁴ 

[1] Centro de Investigaciones Médico Sanitarias (CIMES), University of Malaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain;ClinicaPodofisio, Rincón de la Victoria, 30204 Málaga, Spain;Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malaga, C/Arquitecto Francisco Peñalosa 3, 29071 Málaga, Spain;Pathological Anatomy and Physical-Sports, Education, Department of Human Physiology, Human Histology, University of Malaga, 29016 Málaga, Spain;

关键词: animal-assisted therapy;    neurological disease;    stroke;    multiple sclerosis;    dementia;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph182412882

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: In recent years, the possibility of intervening humans with animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been growing due to numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits provided to humanity, enabling them to maintain or improve their quality of life. There exist different animals through which this therapy can be performed. The purpose of this systematic review will focus on the effects of AAT in several neurological diseases. Methods: The search of clinical trials was carried out in the PubMed, Scielo, Embase and PEDro databases. The selection of articles was made according to the different inclusion and exclusion criteria, incorporating those that approached neurological diseases to be reviewed. Results: Twenty-five clinical trials were identified, seventeen of which were finally included in the review. The results indicate that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in different neurological diseases has many benefits in several areas, for example, in motor and physical ability as well as in mental and behavioural health. Conclusions: This systematic review provides occupational therapy practitioners with evidence on the use of activity based on animal-assisted therapy as a novel field of intervention that can complement other therapies and obtain benefits in different populations.

【 授权许可】

Unknown