Effects of Pet Therapy in Elderly Patients with Neurocognitive Disorders: A Brief Review.

Journal article


Sbrizzi, C. and Sapuppo, W. (2021). Effects of Pet Therapy in Elderly Patients with Neurocognitive Disorders: A Brief Review. Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders extra. 11 (3), pp. 198-206. https://doi.org/10.1159/000518469
AuthorsSbrizzi, C. and Sapuppo, W.
AbstractNeurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are disturbances highly related to age. This means that, with the increasing trend in life expectancy, there is also an increase in this diagnosis, although NCDs are not exclusively found in the population over 65 years old. Likely, they will increase in the coming years together with improvements in diagnosis. In addition to the use of medicines and rehabilitative techniques, pet therapy is also used. Pet therapy makes use of animals with therapeutic, rehabilitative, educational, and recreational purposes for people affected by physical, neuromotor, and psychiatric disorders. Pet therapy seems to be functional for increasing social and communication competencies, facilitating verbal and body language, increasing self-esteem, improving quality of life, and reducing anxiety/stress. This study was based on scientific papers and publications obtained from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Moreover, other articles from further cross-references were included. Specific database research criteria were (a) articles published in 2018 or later, (b) samples containing only adults over 65 years old, (c) written in English or Italian, and (d) on the topic of animal-assisted intervention. Uncertain results were obtained. Although a positive effect was found, the included articles were of insufficient methodological rigor. Although many studies reported positive results, these could not be generalized because of the numerous biases present (e.g., small sample size, lack of methodological rigor, lack of protocol, etc.). Future studies, therefore, should seek to address the limitations found in the analyzed studies. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2021 by S. Karger AG, Basel.]
KeywordsPet therapy; Geriatric; Neurocognitive disorder; Anima-assisted intervention; Alzheimer
Year2021
JournalDementia and geriatric cognitive disorders extra
Journal citation11 (3), pp. 198-206
PublisherKarger Publishers
ISSN1664-5464
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1159/000518469
Publication dates
Online13 Sep 2021
Publication process dates
Accepted10 Jul 2021
Deposited10 Nov 2021
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Open
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