Animal-Assisted Therapy Ameliorates Anhedonia in Schizophrenia Patients

Abstract

Background: Anhedonia, a component of the negative symptom dimension and a core phenomenon in schizophrenia, is associated with poor social functioning and is resistant to treatment. We tested the hypothesis that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) may improve anhedonia. Objective: To compare the effect of psychosocial treatment sessions in which a dog was an active participant (AAT) with comparable sessions without a dog, using a controlled protocol. Method: The hedonic tone of 10 chronic schizophrenia patients who participated in 10 weekly interactive sessions of AAT was compared to a control group treated without animal assistance. The hedonic tone was measured with the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. Subjective quality of life variables and clinical symptoms were also assessed. Results: The AAT group showed a significant improvement in the hedonic tone compared to controls. They also showed an improvement in the use of leisure time and a trend towards improvement in motivation. Conclusion: AAT may contribute to the psychosocial rehabilitation and quality of life of chronic schizophrenia patients.

Animal-assisted therapy for persons with aphasia: A pilot study

“…A recent study by Nathans-Barel et al documented significant improvement in anhedonia for a group of adults with schizophrenia following 10 weeks of AAT when compared with the control group who were treated without AAT [26]. The patients who had the AAT sessions also showed improved use of leisure time and a trend toward improved motivation.…”

“…Following extensive literature review, we found no study to date that investigated the use of AAT for persons with stroke or aphasia. Despite the lack of research in AAT for persons with aphasia, numerous studies have been performed on the effects of AAT on other adult populations, such as residents of nursing homes [9][10][11][12]; patients in acute-care hospitals [13][14][15][16]; patients in intensive care units [17]; and adults with spinal cord injury [18], dementia [19][20], depression [21], psychiatric disorders [21][22][23], and schizophrenia [24][25][26].…”

Animal-Assisted Interventions; Effects on Human Mental Health - A Theoretical Framework

“…Previous controlled studies of interaction with pets have shown significant decrease in depression during one week of hospitalisation among 230 psychiatric patients with psychotic and mood disorders (Barker and Dawson, 1998) and after two weeks of intervention with dolphins (Antonioli and Riveley, 2005). In a controlled pilot study on the effect of AAT on anhedonia among 10 schizophrenic patients, the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale showed significant improvement in the AAT group with a dog compared with the controls (Nathans- Barel et al, 2005). A few studies point to a reduction in depression among persons working with farm animals Hine et al, 2008;Ketelaars et al, 2001;Pedersen, 2011).…”

The Development of an Enhanced Extension Agent Training to Create Butterfly Gardens in Louisiana

“…Children with autism (Sams et al 2006b), people with HIV/AIDS (Allen et al 2000), and hospitalised patients with mental illnesses (Barak et al 2001;Kovacs et al 2004;Marr et al 2000;Nathans-Barel et al 2005) showed improved social functioning following the therapeutic introduction of animals.…”