BACKGROUND: Anhedonia, a component of the negative symptom dimension and a core phenomenon in schizophrenia, is associated with poor social functioning and is resistant to treatment. We tested the hypothesis that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) may improve anhedonia. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of psychosocial treatment sessions in which a dog was an active participant (AAT) with comparable sessions without a dog, using a controlled protocol. METHOD: The hedonic tone of 10 chronic schizophrenia patients who participated in 10 weekly interactive sessions of AAT was compared to a control group treated without animal assistance. The hedonic tone was measured with the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. Subjective quality of life variables and clinical symptoms were also assessed. RESULTS: The AAT group showed a significant improvement in the hedonic tone compared to controls. They also showed an improvement in the use of leisure time and a trend towards improvement in motivation. CONCLUSION: AAT may contribute to the psychosocial rehabilitation and quality of life of chronic schizophrenia patients. Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.
BACKGROUND: Anhedonia, a component of the negative symptom dimension and a core phenomenon in schizophrenia, is associated with poor social functioning and is resistant to treatment. We tested the hypothesis that animal-assisted therapy (AAT) may improve anhedonia. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of psychosocial treatment sessions in which a dog was an active participant (AAT) with comparable sessions without a dog, using a controlled protocol. METHOD: The hedonic tone of 10 chronic schizophreniapatients who participated in 10 weekly interactive sessions of AAT was compared to a control group treated without animal assistance. The hedonic tone was measured with the Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale. Subjective quality of life variables and clinical symptoms were also assessed. RESULTS: The AAT group showed a significant improvement in the hedonic tone compared to controls. They also showed an improvement in the use of leisure time and a trend towards improvement in motivation. CONCLUSION: AAT may contribute to the psychosocial rehabilitation and quality of life of chronic schizophreniapatients. Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: Paula Calvo; Joan R Fortuny; Sergio Guzmán; Cristina Macías; Jonathan Bowen; María L García; Olivia Orejas; Ferran Molins; Asta Tvarijonaviciute; José J Cerón; Antoni Bulbena; Jaume Fatjó Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2016-05-06