Effect of animal-assisted activity on balance and quality of life in home-dwelling persons with dementia

Geriatr Nurs. 2016 Jul-Aug;37(4):284-91. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016.04.002. Epub 2016 May 4.

Abstract

Purpose of the study was to examine if animal-assisted activity with a dog (AAA) in home-dwelling persons with dementia (PWDs) attending day-care centers would have an effect on factors related to risk of fall accidents, with balance (Berg balance scale) and quality of life (Quality of Life in Late-stage Dementia) as main outcome. The project was conducted as a prospective and cluster-randomized multicenter trial with a follow-up. 16 adapted day-care centers recruited respectively 42 (intervention group) and 38 (control group with treatment as usual) home-dwelling PWDs. The intervention consisted of 30 min sessions with AAA led by a qualified dog handler twice a week for 12 weeks in groups of 3-7 participants. The significant positive effect on balance indicates that AAA might work as a multifactorial intervention in dementia care and have useful clinical implication by affecting risk of fall.

Trial registrations: ClinicalTrial.gov; NCT02008630.

Keywords: Balance; Day-care center; Dementia; Geriatric; Home-dwelling; Quality of life.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult Day Care Centers
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Animal Assisted Therapy / methods*
  • Animals
  • Dementia / therapy*
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Depression / psychology
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Independent Living / psychology*
  • Male
  • Quality of Life / psychology*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02008630