Changes in Patient Mood through Animal-Assisted Activities in a Palliative Care Unit.

Kumasaka, Takayuki; Masu, Hideo; Kataoka, Mika; Numao, Akiko

Purpose: In Japanese care and welfare facilities for the aged, animal assisted activity is actively encouraged to improve the quality of life (QOL) for elderly residents and users. However, hospital-acquired infections and allergies are important issues at hospitals, and while more and more patients want to see their companion animal or stay with them at the hospital, hospital policies vary greatly, and requests are thus not granted in many cases. To objectively assess the nursing effects of animal assisted activity on patient QOL, we analyzed the mood of the patients using a standardized scale during interactions at a facility with a policy of animals assisted care. Methods: In the palliative care unit of a general hospital in A, a local veterinary society brings animals to the hospital once a month so that patients can interact with animals. Subjects were 20 patients who were hospitalized at the unit from July 2006 to July 2008, who wanted to interact with animals, and who consented to participate in the study. The activity used trained animals (dogs, cats and rabbits) that had been tested for health and suitability. Patients were allowed to interact with animals for about 30 min, and mood changes were assessed using Lorish's face scale. Results: In all subjects, face scale scores decreased after activity (beneficial effects). Mean score for the 20 patients was 8.10 ±3.48 before activity and 2.66±1.99 after activity, revealing a significant decrease (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The present results suggest that animal assisted activity improves the mood of patients in palliative care. It is thus considered necessary to consider hospital environments, as patient QOL is considered to improve by allowing interaction and cohabitation with trained companion animals or companion animals owned by the patient.

JAPAN; AFFECT (Psychology); PALLIATIVE treatment; QUALITY of life; SCALES (Weighing instruments); PET therapy; PRE-tests & post-tests; DESCRIPTIVE statistics

International Medical Journal, 2012, Vol 19, Issue 4, p373

1341-2051

Academic Journal