Background: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) can ameliorate diverse health problems in older adults. However, applications of AAT have been limited because of the lack of intervention guidelines for older adults.
Aims: This study aimed to explore applications of AAT to older adults, analyze its health effects, and provide evidence for future interventions.
Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist. Data were analyzed based on both a narrative synthesis and a meta-analysis specifically for depression.
Results: A total of 47 studies were selected for analysis. About 45% focused on older adults with diseases such as dementia, and 57.4% selected dog(s) as an intervention animal. About 34.0% delivered interventions once a week, and the behavioral outcome domain was the most frequently investigated. The meta-analysis showed that the effect sizes of the AAT group were -1.310 (95% CI [-1.900, -.721]).
Linking Evidence To Action: This review provides evidence for AAT as an intervention in the physiological, psychosocial, cognitive, and behavioral domains of older adults. When planning interventions for older adults, nurses should consider intended health outcomes, appropriate therapeutic animals, and the consequent intervention contents.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12484 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Ageing and inflammation limit the induction of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cell responses in severe COVID-19.
JCI Insight
January 2025
CNRS UMR 5164, INSERM ERL 1303, ImmunoConcEpT, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
CD8+ T cells are critical for immune protection against severe COVID-19 during acute infection with SARS-CoV-2. However, the induction of antiviral CD8+ T cell responses varies substantially among infected people, and a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie such immune heterogeneity is required for pandemic preparedness and risk stratification. In this study, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in relation to age, clinical status, and inflammation among patients infected primarily during the initial wave of the pandemic in France or Japan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIdentifying the Minimal Clinically Important Difference in Emotion Regulation Among Youth Using the JoyPop App: Survey Study.
JMIR Form Res
January 2025
Department of Psychology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.
Background: The minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is an important threshold to consider when evaluating the meaningfulness of improvement following an intervention. The JoyPop app is an evidence-based smartphone app designed to improve resilience and emotion regulation. Information is needed regarding the JoyPop app's MCID among culturally diverse youth.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEstimating the Effect of Adhering to the Recommendations of the 2019 Canada's Food Guide on Health Outcomes in Older Adults: Protocol for a Target Trial Emulation.
JMIR Res Protoc
January 2025
School of Human Nutrition, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada.
Background: The 2019 Canada's Food Guide provides universal recommendations to individuals aged ≥2 years. However, the extent to which these recommendations are appropriate for older adults is unknown. Although ideal, conducting a large randomized controlled trial is unrealistic in the short term.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA Novel Artificial Intelligence-Enhanced Digital Network for Prehospital Emergency Support: Community Intervention Study.
J Med Internet Res
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Background: Efficient emergency patient transport systems, which are crucial for delivering timely medical care to individuals in critical situations, face certain challenges. To address this, CONNECT-AI (CONnected Network for EMS Comprehensive Technical-Support using Artificial Intelligence), a novel digital platform, was introduced. This artificial intelligence (AI)-based network provides comprehensive technical support for the real-time sharing of medical information at the prehospital stage.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIdentification of genetic variants of the gene in association with COPD susceptibility.
Ann Med
December 2025
Department of General Practice, Hainan affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou, China.
Background: Although existing studies have identified some genetic loci associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) susceptibility, many variants remain to be discovered. The aim of this study was to further explore the potential relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and COPD risk.
Methods: Nine hundred and ninety-six subjects were recruited (498 COPD cases and 498 healthy controls).
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!