Effectiveness in animal-assisted therapy for the elderly and its consideration in relation to health care professionals

Abstract

Aim: Animal-assisted therapy (therapy) has been effective in alleviating anxiety and stress in patients. This study aimed to implement therapy using dogs for clinical elderly patients and determine its association with the patients, as well as intervention animals and healthcare workers. Methods: Participants were inpatients at hospitals and elderly residents in facilities. Further, an intervention animal (dogs) performs therapy at the facility. Saliva was collected before and after therapy, and salivary oxytocin and cortisol were extracted. In addition, the participants' comments during the activity were recorded. A conference was held between medical personnel at each facility and the handlers conducting the activities before and after the activities. Results: This study obtained 37 samples from elderly people. Salivary oxytocin levels in the elderly significantly increased after therapy (P < 0.001). Additionally, samples from a total of 80 service dogs were obtained. Salivary oxytocin and cortisol levels of the service dogs both significantly changed after the activity (P < 0.001). Information was shared between medical professionals and therapy practitioners at the conference. Conclusions: This study revealed the stress-reducing effect of therapy on elderly people and service dogs. Until now in Japan, cases in which therapy has been clinically administered to patients and physiologically analyzed in terms of its effects remained limited, and few cases in which collaboration with medical professionals was considered have been reported. The results of this study will provide an opportunity to introduce and research further on therapy to relieve stress in patients in the medical field.