A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Psychosocial Outcomes

Maujean, Annick; Pepping, Christopher A.; Kendall, Elizabeth

doi:10.2752/089279315x14129350721812

Cited by 122 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…AAP can be considered a specific form of AAT. Several meta‐analyses (Nimer & Lundahl, ; Souter & Miller, ) and systematic reviews (Kamioka et al, ; Kendall et al, ; Maujean, Pepping, & Kendall, ; Rossetti & King, ) have concluded that AAT is a valuable resource in the field of clinical psychology and psychiatry. More specifically, evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates that AAT has a positive effect on a wide range of psychological and social factors in patients with psychological disorders (Maujean et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal‐assisted psychotherapy for young people with behavioural problems in residential care

Muela

Balluerka

Amiano

et al. 2017

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an animal-assisted psychotherapy (AAP) programme on clinical symptoms, personal adjustment, and adaptive skills in a group of adolescents in residential care who had experienced childhood trauma and who presented mental health problems and difficulties adapting to the care home environment. The 87 participants (M = 15.17, SD = 1.53) were divided into two groups: a treatment group (25 girls and 27 boys; M = 15.00, SD = 1.55) and a control group (9 girls and 26 boys; M = 15.42, SD = 1.50). The programme consisted of 34 sessions involving both group (23 sessions) and individual (11 sessions) AAP. The Behaviour Assessment System for Children was used to evaluate clinical and adaptive dimensions of behaviour and personality. The results indicated that, in comparison with controls, the young people who took part in the AAP programme reported a significant improvement on two measures of internalizing symptoms, namely, depression and sense of inadequacy. Although no significant differences were observed in relation to externalizing symptoms, the adolescents who received the AAP programme showed improved social skills in terms of their ability to interact satisfactorily with peers and adults in the care home environment, as well as a more positive attitude towards teachers at school. These results suggest that AAP may be a promising treatment for young people who have experienced childhood trauma and who subsequently find it difficult to adapt to the residential care setting.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal‐assisted psychotherapy for young people with behavioural problems in residential care

Muela

Balluerka

Amiano

et al. 2017

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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“…From Autistic Spectrum Disorders (Kern et al, 2011;O 'Haire, 2013) to severe mental illness (Barker & Dawson, 1998;Kamioka et al, 2014;Maujean et al, 2015;Wisdom et al, 2009), the literature increasingly indicates there is value in the facilitation of human-animal contact within interdisciplinary clinical practice. This therapeutic framework has resulted in the use of terms such as ''pet therapy'', ''animal-assisted therapy'' and ''animal-assisted activities'', referring to a reciprocal dynamic between humans and animals which addresses ''physical and/or emotional needs'' (Adams, 2010;Carmack, 1984).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The feasibility of brief dog-assisted therapy on university students stress levels: the PAwS study

Wood

Ohlsen

Thompson

et al. 2017

Journal of Mental Health

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Background: Pet therapy is becoming increasingly popular and is used in a variety of ways from encouraging communication in older adults to improving wellbeing in those with serious mental illness. Increasingly Universities have been offering pet therapy to students in an effort to reduce stress. However, little evidence currently exists to support the effectiveness of reducing measurable stress levels after a standalone drop-in unstructured session. The University of Sheffield's Counselling Service works in partnership with Guide Dogs for the Blind to give students access to calm, well-trained animals for informal group stress relief. Aims: To assess the feasibility of implementing and evaluating unstructured group interventions with a Guide Dog in training within the university student population. Methods: One hundred and thirty-one students who attended pet therapy at the University Counselling Service were recruited on a voluntary basis to take part in the research. Stress, measured on the state trait anxiety inventory, and blood pressure were taken before and after a 15-min intervention. Results: All measures showed a statistically significant reduction immediately after the intervention. Conclusion: Short interactions with a Guide Dog in training appear to reduce stress in University students. A controlled study is required to investigate further.

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“…The first posits that EAT provides a positive context for psychological growth. The second hypothesis argues that the horse has therapeutic qualities that can lead to unique psychological changes that would not otherwise occur (Maujean et al 2013, Kendall et al 2014, Maujean et al 2015. It is this final point that proponents of EAT argue horses have unique therapeutic potential.…”

Section: Equine-assisted Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Maujean et al . ). It is this final point that proponents of EAT argue horses have unique therapeutic potential.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

An open trial of equine-assisted therapy for children exposed to problematic parental substance use

Tsantefski

Briggs

Griffiths

et al. 2017

Health Soc Care Community

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Children exposed to problematic parental substance use (PPSU) often face a number of deleterious developmental outcomes, yet these children are less likely to become known to child protection and welfare services. Although there is a growing evidence base for equine-assisted therapy (EAT) as an effective treatment modality for atypically developing children and adolescents, scant research has explored the benefit of EAT for children exposed to PPSU. The current study is the first to explore the benefit of EAT for children exposed to PPSU in Victoria, Australia. Five 12-week EAT programmes were delivered from 2012 to 2015 with a total of 41 children (mean age of 10.26 years) taking part. Children's parents (n = 41) and schoolteachers (n = 31) completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Parents reported that children's total difficult behaviour and emotional problems decreased following the 12-week EAT programme. In addition, parents and teachers observed a significant decrease in children's hyperactivity. The findings obtained highlight the benefit of EAT for children exposed to PPSU and thus, extends the existing evidence base for this treatment modality.

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A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of Animal-Assisted Therapy on Psychosocial Outcomes

Cited by 122 publications

References 28 publications

Animal‐assisted psychotherapy for young people with behavioural problems in residential care

Animal‐assisted psychotherapy for young people with behavioural problems in residential care

The feasibility of brief dog-assisted therapy on university students stress levels: the PAwS study

An open trial of equine-assisted therapy for children exposed to problematic parental substance use

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