Canine-Assisted Therapy and Quality of Life in People With Alzheimer-Type Dementia: Pilot Study

Abstract

Background With the aim of improving the quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s disease, primarily as regards behavioral and psychological symptoms, we implemented canine-assisted therapy in a group of people with this disease. Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental study, with a simple pre-post case series design. Participants comprised 10 Alzheimer’s day care center users presenting severe or very severe cognitive decline. The measurement instrument employed was the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) scale. Results By the end of the therapy, 100% of participants showed an improvement in physical, behavioral, and psychological aspects. The total scores of the QUALID scale for the three different evaluation times (before the therapy and 6 and 12 months after starting) after the canine-assisted therapy intervention were smaller and less dispersed. The total score for the QUALID scale decreased significantly ( p < 0.05) at 6 and 12 months after starting therapy. An analysis by item revealed that the scores of all of them fell during the course of the therapy. Discussion Our study provides evidence of the significant benefits of canine-assisted therapy for quality of life in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

The Research of Standardized Protocols for Dog Involvement in Animal-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review

“…In the AAT activity reports, almost all the works described the activities carried out with the dog; only one study did not release any information [ 40 ]. The sessions described had a duration between 10 min and 1 h. Activities included social [ 56 ], physical [ 39 , 55 , 59 , 60 , 62 , 66 ], and free [ 42 , 43 , 48 , 49 , 51 , 57 , 64 , 68 , 73 ] interactions; activities of rehabilitation [ 46 , 76 ]; psychomotor activities; and socialization [ 52 ]. Other activities included grooming, feeding, and stroking [ 54 , 58 , 61 , 67 , 70 , 75 ]; playing with the dog; and engaging in obedience exercises [ 45 , 50 , 65 , 72 , 74 , 75 ].…”

“…In four studies, the dogs worked with autistic patients [ 41 , 48 , 60 ], and in one study, the dogs also worked with Down-syndrome patients [ 52 ]. Four papers focused on the elderly to improve the physiological parameters of heart disease [ 66 ], Alzheimer’s disease [ 62 ], the perception of pain in geriatrics [ 59 ], and cognitive functions among patients with dementia [ 60 ]. In two papers, the dogs supported patients with oncological diseases [ 67 , 70 ].…”

“…Two articles were published in 2021 [39,40], 9 studies were published in 2020 [41,49], 15 were published in 2019 [50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64], 3 were published in 2018 [65][66][67], 6 were published in 2017 [68][69][70][71][72][73], and 3 were published in 2016 [74][75][76]. Between 1 and 17 dogs were included in the studies.…”

Animal-Assisted Therapy as a Non-Pharmacological Approach in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Retrospective Study

“…However, more extensive studies should be conducted to strengthen the existing evidence, by measurement of biochemical parameters such as cortisol, for example [ 12 ]. The intensity and procedures of therapy should be standardized for a better interpretation of the benefits for patients [ 15 ], considering also the main role of the dog as co-therapist [ 38 ]. In addition, it would be desirable to standardize the methodologies used in terms of Alzheimer’s diagnosis and age of the patients, always include a control group, use a wider battery of measurement tests for the cognitive impairment and mood, establish an increased frequency of sessions (preferably weekly), and plan longer-lasting interventions.…”

“…Some studies have shown how AAT can provide an alternative or an addition to pharmacological treatments to reduce the behavioral and psychological symptoms [ 13 ] as well as agitation, depression, and apathy [ 14 ] of patients with dementia. Still other studies have highlighted how this type of intervention can provide significant benefits to improve the quality of life in people with AD [ 15 ] and the psychosocial well-being in people with dementia [ 16 ]. Other studies have shown an improvement in cognitive impairment [ 17 ] and an improvement in balance [ 18 ] in patients with AD undergoing AAT with a dog.…”