Dog handlers' experiences of therapy dogs' impact on life near death for persons with dementia

Swall, Anna; Craftman, Åsa Gransjön; Grundberg, Åke; Wiklund, Eleonor; Väliaho, Nina; Hagelin, Carina Lundh

doi:10.12968/ijpn.2019.25.2.65

Cited by 5 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…All of the six qualitative studies involved evaluations of RCTs or interventions [ 44 – 49 ]. Five of them were interview studies [ 44 – 48 ], the other one was an ethnographic study with participant observations, field notes and follow-up interviews [ 49 ]. In Sweden two large RCT projects were represented by three [ 39 , 45 , 46 ] and two articles respectively [ 40 , 47 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Three studies involved patients with chronic heart Failure (HF) [ 39 , 45 , 46 ]; in one of these studies the respondents were the family members [ 45 ]. Furthermore, one study used the handlers of therapy dogs as respondents and the patients were persons with dementia [ 48 ]. Finally, two studies concerned older patients without focus on specific diseases where the respondents were family members [ 39 ] and staff [ 49 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The other interventions comprised massage [ 42 , 44 ], the structured standard care plan known as the Liverpool Care Pathway (LCP) [ 41 ], palliative care education for the staff at nursing homes [ 49 ], multidisciplinary palliative home care teams [ 43 ], and use of therapy dog for patients with dementia [ 48 ]. These interventions were evaluated by patients [ 42 – 44 ], family members [ 41 , 43 ], and staff [ 48 , 49 ], Table 2 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Palliative care should be provided more widely and become integrated into all relevant health care, not only offered to people with cancer in hospice or specialist units [ 2 ]. Despite an average age of 60 years or older in the included studies, only a few mentioned briefly the impact of age on the design of the palliative care intervention [ 48 , 49 ]. There is a significant need to develop palliative care to meet the complex needs of older people due to multimorbidity and the sharply increased number of older people in the world including China and Sweden.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Managing conversations in practice. • Having tools • Distracting • Comforting • Disregarding To describe the impact of therapy dogs on people with dementia in the final stages of life from the perspective of the dog handler (Swall et al [ 48 ]). A qualitative interview study with 11 dog handlers for persons with dementia at seven municipal nursing homes.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Similarities and differences between China and Sweden regarding the core features of palliative care for people aged 60 or older: a systematic scoping review

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Despite the increasing longevity of the world’s population, with an unprecedented rise in the number of people who need palliative care (PC), there has been sparse research regarding palliative care for older people, especially when it comes to comparison of PC between healthcare systems and cultures. The aim of this systematic scoping review was to identify the characteristics of the body of literature and to examine the knowledge gaps concerning PC research for older people (> 60 years) in two healthcare systems and cultures, mainland China and Sweden. Methods The guidelines PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews), and PICOS (Patient/population, Intervention, Comparison/control, and Outcome) were used. Empirical studies on patients 60 years or older, next of kin or staff participating in a palliative care intervention or setting were included. They were conducted in mainland China or in Sweden during 2007–2019, were published in English and were extracted from seven databases: Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Cinahl, PsycInfo, Academic Search Complete and Cochrane Library. Two independent researchers conducted the selection of studies, data extraction and methodological evaluation. Any disagreements were resolved in consultation with a third researcher. The analysis was manifest directed content analysis based on PICOS domains. Results Of the 15 studies, four were from mainland China and 11 from Sweden. Both countries included older patients with cancer but also other end-stage diseases such as heart failure and dementia. The studies differed in design, method and the content of the interventions. The study in China based on traditional Chinese medicine concerns traditional Chinese folk music. The six qualitative studies from Sweden were evaluations of five interventions. Conclusions Despite the high age of the participating patients, there was no focus on an ageing perspective concerning palliative care. To adapt to the changes taking place in most societies, future research should have increased focus on older persons’ need for palliative care and should take account of issues concerning research ethics, ethnicity and culture. Registered in Prospero CRD42020078685, available from.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Similarities and differences between China and Sweden regarding the core features of palliative care for people aged 60 or older: a systematic scoping review

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Perceptions and Experiences of Animal‐Assisted Interventions for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

Zhang,

Hennessy,

et al. 2024

Journal of Clinical Nursing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

AimTo synthesise stakeholders' experiences and perceptions of animal‐assisted intervention (AAI) for people with dementia in community care settings.DesignQualitative evidence synthesis.MethodsWe systematically searched Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO and AgeLine for potentially eligible studies. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the data from included studies. We assessed the methodological limitations of included studies using an adaptation of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and used Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE‐CERQual) tool to assess confidence in review findings. This review is reported using the ENTREQ checklist.ResultsWe included 14 reports from 11 studies and developed three analytical themes incorporating a gardening analogy: planting–connecting with animals, growing–engaging in AAI and nurturing–making AAI work; and six subthemes: willingness to connect, building relationships, a rich experience, the benefits of AAI, individualised and holistic approach and training and support, with 15 key findings.ConclusionThis review describes people's experiences and perceptions of AAI for people with dementia, and provides recommendations on the development and implementation of AAI, with moderate to high confidence. Nurses need to consider the factors that influence the implementation of AAI identified in this review, to facilitate engagement and long‐term impacts while adopting AAI in community care settings.Implications for the Profession and Patient CareThis review may enhance healthcare professionals' understanding of AAI for people with dementia in community care settings. AAI is a complex intervention that can be delivered in varied manner. A multicomponent, flexible and individualised AAI is important. Additional training and education for staff are needed.Patient or Public ContributionA man with dementia and his wife who share a love of dogs, advised at each step of the review, providing insights and perspectives and contributing as co‐authors.

show abstract

Stakeholders’ Perceptions and Experiences of Animal Assisted Interventions for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Zhang

Hennessy

Houghton

2023

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Dementia is a priority public health issue globally. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) lead to low quality of life (QoL) for people living with dementia and can also cause distress amongst their caregivers. To date, the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for dementia have had limited. Animal assisted intervention (AAI) has become a popular non-pharmacological therapy and psychosocial intervention, and can have positive effects on mood, social behavior, physical activity and QoL of people living with dementia. The factors influencing the delivery of AAI remain underexplored. The aim of this review is to synthesize qualitative research regarding stakeholders’ perceptions and experiences of AAI for people living with dementia in community settings. Methods: We will systematically search nine databases/platforms. Two reviewers will independently screen the titles, abstracts and full texts; the process will be reported following PRISMA guidance. Data from included studies will be extracted according to a specifically designed form. Three reviewers will independently appraise the methodological quality of studies using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program qualitative checklist. We will analyze data following thematic synthesis. GRADE-CERQual will be applied to assess confidence in the findings. The research team will engage in reflexivity throughout all review stages of process through regular meetings/discussions. A Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) contributor will be included to oversee and provide advice on the QES process. Discussion: AAI is a potentially valuable for improving mood and reducing BPSD for people living with dementia. However, the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders and factors influencing the implementation of AAI for people living with dementia are not clear. This qualitative evidence synthesis will significantly contribute to the evidence base. It will identify factors and recommendations for AAI guidance, and have clinical and social implications of improving the well-being of people living with dementia and their caregivers.

show abstract

Dog handlers' experiences of therapy dogs' impact on life near death for persons with dementia

Cited by 5 publications

References 28 publications

Similarities and differences between China and Sweden regarding the core features of palliative care for people aged 60 or older: a systematic scoping review

Similarities and differences between China and Sweden regarding the core features of palliative care for people aged 60 or older: a systematic scoping review

Perceptions and Experiences of Animal‐Assisted Interventions for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis

Stakeholders’ Perceptions and Experiences of Animal Assisted Interventions for People Living With Dementia: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Protocol

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About