More research needed on animal-assisted interventions in dementia

Commentary on: Olsen C, Pedersen I, Bergland A, et al.. Effect of animal-assisted interventions on depression, agitation and quality of life in nursing home residents suffering from cognitive impairment or dementia: a cluster randomized controlled trial. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2016;31:1312–21. Implications for practice and research Animal-assisted interventions may support quality of life and decrease the degree of depressivity in patients with dementia in nursing homes. Larger definitive trials are needed to confirm effectiveness of animal-assisted interventions in people suffering from dementia. Context There is a growing body of evidence indicating that animal-assisted interventions in patients suffering from dementia in nursing homes may prove effective in improving quality of life; however, mixed results have been reported with respect to whether these interventions work and which outcomes they may alter.1–3 In addition, research in this field often yields...
Source: Evidence-Based Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Care of the older person Source Type: research