Using Pet Therapy to Decrease Patients' Anxiety on Two Diverse Inpatient Units.

Background: The physical benefits for patients who spend time with a therapy dog have been reported, including decreased anxiety. Pet therapy has decreased anxiety in various hospitalized patient populations. The human-animal bond is the foundation for the positive interaction therapy dogs create.

Bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson's disease: results of six patients.

In this study, researchers evaluated the effect of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on various measures of Parkinson's disease. Assessments were completed before and after surgery in a double-blind fashion under the following six conditions: (a) on medication, (b) off medication, (c) on medication/on stimulation, (d) on medication/off stimulation, (e) off medication/on stimulation, and (f) off medication/off stimulation. On average, improvement was noted in all areas including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale, Modified Hoehn and Yahr Staging, and timed tests: In addition, dyskinesia duration and dyskinesia disability were reduced.