Karin Hediger1,2,3, Friederike Boek1, Julia Sachers1, Ulrike Blankenburg4, Evelyn Antonius-Kluger4, Bettina Rist4, Martina Schaudek4, Martin Staudt4,5, Gerhard Kluger4,6. 1. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. 2. REHAB Basel, Clinic for Neurorehabilitation and Paraplegiology, Basel, Switzerland. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. 4. Center für Pediatric Neurology, Neurorehabilitation and Epileptology, Schön Clinic, Vogatreuth, Germany. 5. Department Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany. 6. Research Institute "Rehabilitation, Transition, Palliation", Paracelsus Medicine University, Salzburg, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dog-assisted therapy (DAT) is increasingly applied in neurorehabilitation of patients with severe neurological impairments. To date, there are only anecdotal reports investigating its effects. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to evaluate the potential of DAT in pediatric inpatient neurorehabilitation for severely neurologically impaired children and adolescents, to identify characteristics of patients receiving this therapy, characteristics of the therapy sessions, and to evaluate feasibility and extent of goal achievement. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 850 DAT sessions performed between 2010 and 2017 at an inpatient neurorehabilitation center. The dataset included 196 children and adolescents (Md = 5.50, 0.58-20.33 years) suffering from severe neurological impairments (disorders of consciousness in 37 patients) of various etiologies. We extracted information regarding patient and session characteristics, analyzed the predefined goals with content analysis, and examined to what extent the goals were met during DAT. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Patients received an average of 4.34 therapy sessions. A total of 247 of 392 predefined goals (63%) were reached during DAT. The most frequently achieved goal was "enhancing fun" (83%), followed by "establishing contact and communication" (81%), and "relaxation" (71%). Only one critical incident regarding the dogs' safety occurred. CONCLUSION: DAT is a feasible approach and appears to facilitate emotional, social, and psychological goals in children and adolescents with severe neurological impairment. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
BACKGROUND:Dog-assisted therapy (DAT) is increasingly applied in neurorehabilitation of patients with severe neurological impairments. To date, there are only anecdotal reports investigating its effects. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to evaluate the potential of DAT in pediatric inpatient neurorehabilitation for severely neurologically impaired children and adolescents, to identify characteristics of patients receiving this therapy, characteristics of the therapy sessions, and to evaluate feasibility and extent of goal achievement. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 850 DAT sessions performed between 2010 and 2017 at an inpatient neurorehabilitation center. The dataset included 196 children and adolescents (Md = 5.50, 0.58-20.33 years) suffering from severe neurological impairments (disorders of consciousness in 37 patients) of various etiologies. We extracted information regarding patient and session characteristics, analyzed the predefined goals with content analysis, and examined to what extent the goals were met during DAT. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS:Patients received an average of 4.34 therapy sessions. A total of 247 of 392 predefined goals (63%) were reached during DAT. The most frequently achieved goal was "enhancing fun" (83%), followed by "establishing contact and communication" (81%), and "relaxation" (71%). Only one critical incident regarding the dogs' safety occurred. CONCLUSION: DAT is a feasible approach and appears to facilitate emotional, social, and psychological goals in children and adolescents with severe neurological impairment. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
Authors: Jacqueline P Boitier; Marion Huber; Christian Saleh; Matthew J Kerry; Margret Hund-Georgiadis; Karin Hediger Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2020-05-28 Impact factor: 4.157