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Kovács KE, Balogh ÉZ, Lovas B, Boris P, Nagy BE. The role of animal-assisted programs in physical health improvement of children and adolescents with special education needs - a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:824. [PMID: 38491498 PMCID: PMC10943833 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18326-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Programs involving animals in therapeutic programs are becoming increasingly prevalent. These programs can vary greatly in their approach, scope, and objectives, and they can significantly impact the development of healthy children and those with various disorders. In this systematic review, we sought to investigate the psychological ramifications of animal-assisted activities (AAA), therapies (AAT), and interventions (AAI). We searched for relevant studies using the EBSCO Discovery Service search engine across 85 databases, utilising appropriate keywords. Our search generated 262 results, of which 21 were selected for inclusion after title and abstract screening, as well as full-text analysis. Our findings indicate that dogs and horses are animal-assisted programs' most commonly used animals. Additionally, autism, cerebral palsy, and ADHD were found to be overrepresented in these programs. Furthermore, the length of sessions and overall program duration exhibited considerable variation, regardless of patient age or disease type. The principal measures centred on the physiological variables related to the nervous system and motorium-related indicators. The studies were generally of exceptional methodological soundness. Frequently, the studies narrowed their scope to a single segment or just the child or adolescent, but the outcomes lacked contextual interpretation. Expanding the range of studies by comparing psychological and physiological indicators and conducting follow-up analysis with a longitudinal design would be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Éva Zita Balogh
- Doctoral School of Human Sciences, Doctoral Program on Psychology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Buda Lovas
- Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Boris
- Laki Kálmán Doctoral School, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Beáta Erika Nagy
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rehabilitation, Pediatric Psychology and Psychosomatic Unit, head of the Unit, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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Sargsyan A, Beebe LH. Putting the Ducks in a Row: Development of a Duck-assisted Green Care Intervention for Persons with Traumatic Brain Injury. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2024; 45:274-282. [PMID: 38232125 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2023.2281026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Green Care therapies are defined as the engagement of a patient with the nature, exposing patients to a nature based therapeutic setting that may facilitate their recovery. Such therapies became popular at the end of the twentieth century. This therapeutic approach may include therapeutic horticulture, nature therapies, care farming, facilitated exercise, and animal-assisted therapies with farm animals (AATF). This paper describes the processes of planning and creating an AATF-based clinical intervention wherein persons with TBI interacted with ducks (in twice weekly, 1-hour groups) for 12 wk at a TBI rehabilitation facility. The discussion includes site identification, stakeholder engagement, intervention design and human and animal safety procedures. The research methods, theoretical framework, ethical consideration, and risk reduction strategies for human participants and ducks are discussed. Also, description of challenges and blueprints of possible solutions for other researchers interested in developing similar initiatives. This program will serve as a study site for examining effects of AATF-based interventions on self-efficacy, depression, and anxiety in persons with TBI. If the study suggests that AATF interventions with ducks may lead to positive changes, the proposed study will be followed with studies that include larger samples at multiple sites. Findings in this paper may contribute to the implementation science body of knowledge. Because of that, the information in this paper may benefit the researchers outside of the healthcare arena. From that perspective methods described in this paper may help to develop studies that focus on policy development, program expansion, or individual project implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Sargsyan
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Lora H Beebe
- College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
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Berget B, Vas J, Pedersen G, Uvnäs-Moberg K, Newberry RC. Oxytocin levels and self-reported anxiety during interactions between humans and cows. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1252463. [PMID: 37780173 PMCID: PMC10536144 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1252463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Positive social interactions with farm animals may have therapeutic benefits on humans by increasing brain oxytocin secretion, as inferred from circulating oxytocin levels. The aim of this observational study was to investigate acute changes in human plasma oxytocin levels and state anxiety associated with interactions with dairy cows. Methods Data were collected from 18 healthy female nursing students who performed stroking and brushing of an unfamiliar cow for 15 min. Blood samples were drawn before entering the cowshed (T1, baseline), and after 5 (T2) and 15 (T3) min of interaction with a cow. At T1 and T3, the students filled out the Norwegian version of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Subscale (STAI-SS). Results Across participants, no significant changes in average plasma oxytocin concentration were detected between time points (p>0.05). There was, however, a modest decline in the STAI-SS scores between T1 and T3 (p=0.015) and a positive correlation between the change in individual level of state anxiety between T1 and T3 and the change in OT concentration of the same individual between T2 and T3 (p = 0.045). Discussion The results suggest that friendly social interactions with cows are beneficial in lowering state anxiety, but any relationship with release of OT into the circulation was complex and variable across individuals. The acute reduction in state anxiety lends support to the value of interacting with farm animals in the context of Green Care for people with mental health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bente Berget
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Department of Health, Social and Welfare Studies, University of South-Eastern Norway, Borre, Norway
- Department of Health and Society, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Judit Vas
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Gunn Pedersen
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Section of Anthrozoology and Applied Ethology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Ruth C. Newberry
- Faculty of Biosciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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Sargsyan A, Beebe LH. Animal-Assisted Green Care Farming for Patients With Mental and Physical Disorders: A Narrative Review. Creat Nurs 2023; 29:192-196. [PMID: 37800738 DOI: 10.1177/10784535231195433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Green care is an umbrella term that includes numerous therapeutic interventions that immerse the patient into nature and natural environments. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) with farm animals is a component of green care that may benefit patients with mental health disorders. While the majority of research exploring farm AATs originated in Europe, interest in this therapeutic intervention is emerging in the United States. While there are green care farms utilizing animal therapies in the United States, these therapeutic interventions have not been reported in the scientific literature. Further exploration of this topic in the United States may benefit various patient populations and contribute to overall better health care. A literature review found that farm AATs may be beneficial for patients with mental health disorders, but did not identify any studies addressing AAT with farm animals in the context of physical health disorders. This may be a desirable direction for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Sargsyan
- College of Nursing, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Lora H Beebe
- College of Nursing, The University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
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Kiers AH, Nishimura KM, Dewa CS. Leveraging Campus Landscapes for Public Health: A Pilot Study to Understand the Psychological Effects of Urban Sheep Grazing on College Campuses. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1280. [PMID: 36674034 PMCID: PMC9859548 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Since the 1980s, college students in the U.S. have self-reported a decline in their physical and emotional health. With these conditions compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and its physical distancing restrictions, higher education institutions have an increased responsibility to establish strategic interventions and health-promoting programs for their students. Research collaborations between public health professionals and environmental designers have highlighted the benefits of environmental factors, such as wildlife, street trees, and public parks, on mental health. This pilot project aims to build upon the transdisciplinary dialogue between ecology, design, and public health by examining the social benefits of grazing lawnscape management, which is the practice of using herbivorous livestock to manage turfgrass areas. Through the design of an accessible central campus grazing space for a flock of 25 sheep and use of online questionnaires, a smartphone-based single-item survey, and open-ended feedback given via social media, the UC Davis Sheepmower Project addresses three primary questions: (1) Are there differences in self-reported stress levels and well-being between people who did not watch grazing sheep (no sheepmower group) compared with those who did watch grazing sheep (sheepmower group)? (2) Does holding sheep grazing events create opportunities for education about well-being and engagement with the campus community? (3) Can this type of urban grazing installation ultimately contribute to the overall identity of a college campus? Web-based questionnaire results indicate there is no significant difference in self-reported stress levels between the two groups; however, the moment-in-time smartphone-based single item question suggests that the presence of sheep provides temporary, noticeable relief and enhanced mood for those who observe the animals. Reflections posted on social media suggested that participants found the sheep grazing events fostered feelings of community and placemaking within the campus identity. However, the questionnaire sample indicated the grazing events did not have a significant effect on participants' sense of place or overall campus identity. This transdisciplinary effort breaks down traditionally siloed approaches to human and environmental health and is an example of a whole-systems approach to developing innovative solutions and encouraging applied collective action.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Haven Kiers
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kelly M. Nishimura
- Office of Campus Planning, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Carolyn S. Dewa
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Ucun Y, Küçük L. The efficacy of complementary and traditional practice on psychiatric patients with depression symptoms: A meta- analysis study. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2022; 58:744-757. [PMID: 33969496 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study examined the effect sizes of the complementary and traditional practices on the depressive symptom levels in psychiatric patients DESIGN AND METHODS: The "Health Evidence™ Quality Assessment Tool" and "Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3" program was used. FINDINGS A total of 81 studies with 5934 patients were included. The effect size of the complementary and traditional methods applied to psychiatric patient on depressive symptoms was calculated as d = 0.718 (p = 0.000). According to Cohen, studies have moderate effect size. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Complementary and traditional practices were found to be significant and effective on depressive symptoms in psychiatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leyla Küçük
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Istanbul, Turkey
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Demiralay Ş, Keser İ. The effect of pet therapy on the stress and social anxiety levels of disabled children: A randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2022; 48:101574. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2022.101574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Exploring Dry-Film FTIR Spectroscopy to Characterize Milk Composition and Subclinical Ketosis throughout a Cow's Lactation. Foods 2021; 10:foods10092033. [PMID: 34574143 PMCID: PMC8472635 DOI: 10.3390/foods10092033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of technologies for measurements of health parameters of individual cows may ensure early detection of diseases and maximization of individual cow and herd potential. In the present study, dry-film Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was evaluated for the purpose of detecting and quantifying milk components during cows’ lactation. This was done in order to investigate if these systematic changes can be used to identify cows experiencing subclinical ketosis. The data included 2329 milk samples from 61 Norwegian Red dairy cows collected during the first 100 days in milk (DIM). The resulting FTIR spectra were used for explorative analyses of the milk composition. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to search for systematic changes in the milk during the lactation. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to predict the fatty acid (FA) composition of all milk samples and the models obtained were used to evaluate systematic changes in the predicted FA composition during the lactation. The results reveal that systematic changes related to both gross milk composition and fatty acid features can be seen throughout lactation. Differences in the predicted FA composition between cows with subclinical ketosis and normal cows, in particular C14:0 and C18:1cis9, showed that dietary energy deficits may be detected by deviations in distinct fatty acid features.
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Phadsri S, Shioji R, Tanimura A, Jaknissai J, Apichai S, Sookruay T. Nonpharmacological Treatment for Supporting Social Participation of Adults with Depression. Occup Ther Int 2021; 2021:8850364. [PMID: 34007254 PMCID: PMC8102128 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8850364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social withdrawal is predominantly seen among adults with depression. However, a dearth of reviews exists that explore nonpharmacological treatments, especially occupational therapy (OT) interventions and their effect in promoting social participation. The aim of this research was to review what intervention programs are conducted to support the social participation of adults with depression and their effectiveness. METHOD A systematic review was performed wherein relevant articles were searched in PubMed, CINAHL, Wiley Online Library, PsycINFO, and OTseeker databases and AJOT, BJOT, SJOT, and OTMH journals. Only English articles published from January 2010 to December 2018, which tackled intervention for adults aged 20-60 years with depression, were considered. Ten out of 918 studies met the screening criteria. RESULT Among the ten studies, the effective intervention programs were categorized as either occupation-based intervention (OBI) or cognitive behavioral therapy-based intervention (CBT-BI). These programs sought the following outcomes: behavioral change in social participation (n = 4), reduction of depression or depressive symptoms (n = 13), life satisfaction (n = 4), and quality of life (QoL) (n = 1). Studies showed moderate (n = 3) to strong (n = 7) level of certainty, whereas they also revealed high to unclear (n = 3) and low (n = 7) risk of bias. CONCLUSION Both OBI such as animal-assisted therapy and CBT-BI such as behavioral change program and health education have a strong level of certainty and low risk of bias in promoting social participation by supporting positive behavioral change and reducing depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the sport and exercise program of OBI was popular in encouraging participation and engagement with other people. Other programs were suggested for combined interventions to support social participation, life satisfaction, and QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supaluck Phadsri
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 116-8551, Japan
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Rieko Shioji
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 116-8551, Japan
| | - Atsuko Tanimura
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo 116-8551, Japan
| | - Jeerawit Jaknissai
- Occupational Therapy Unit, Thanyarak Khon Kaen Hospital, Khon Kaen 40000, Thailand
| | - Sopida Apichai
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Tippawan Sookruay
- Chiang Mai University Library, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
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Marvin S, Sorenson K, Stevens JR. Bringing human-animal interaction to sport: Potential impacts on athletic performance. Eur J Sport Sci 2021; 22:955-963. [PMID: 33840355 DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2021.1916084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
To gain an edge in performance, athletes, coaches, trainers, and sport psychologists worldwide leverage findings from psychological research to develop training and performance strategies. The field of sport psychology draws upon research on stress, anxiety, mindfulness, and team building to develop these strategies. Here, we introduce human-animal interaction as a potential area of research that may apply to athletic performance. Structured interactions with animals-particularly therapy dogs-can provide physiological benefits associated with stress and the oxytocin system, psychological benefits for anxiety and motivation, and social benefits through social support. Yet these effects have not yet been systematically investigated in athletes. Integration of human-animal interactions into athletics can occur through animal visitation programmes and resident therapy animal programmes. Integrating human-animal interactions into athletics presents some unique challenges and limitations that must be considered before implementing these programmes, and these interactions are not a panacea that will work in every situation. But, given the amount of human-animal interaction research suggesting benefits in medicine, mental health, and education contexts, it is worthwhile exploring potential benefits not just for athletic performance, but also for injury prevention and recovery.HighlightsHuman-animal interaction is a potential area of research that may apply to athletic performance.Structured interactions with animals can provide physiological, psychological, and social benefits to athletes, through it is not a panacea that will work in every situation.Integrating human-animal interactions into athletics presents some unique challenges and limitations that must be considered before implementing these programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sutton Marvin
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Kennet Sorenson
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Stevens
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
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Sahebalzamani M, Rezaei O, Moghadam LF. Animal-assisted therapy on happiness and life quality of chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes: a randomized controlled study. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:575. [PMID: 33261578 PMCID: PMC7709314 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02980-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychiatric patients who live in psychiatric residential care homes may often feel a loss of autonomy, decision making, and participation in social activities. They usually have few or no visitors and also do not have any purpose for living. Animals may increase the happiness and quality of life of psychiatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) on happiness and quality of life of chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes in Tehran, Iran. METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 70 males with a chronic psychiatric disorder who were living in psychiatric residential care homes in Tehran, Iran, in 2016. The patients were randomly selected and divided into animal therapy intervention group and control group. Patients in the intervention group received animal-therapy with a bird for eight weeks. Patients in the control group received no intervention. The Oxford Happiness Inventory evaluated all patients pre and post-intervention. To evaluate life quality, the Wisconsin Quality of Life Index was used. Data were statically analyzed using SPSS Ver.19.0. ANCOVA with pretest statistical control. The significance level was set as p < 0.05. RESULTS The mean age in both control and intervention groups were 47.12 and 45.82 years, and the mean age of illness onset for both control and intervention groups was 18.94 and 16.83 years, respectively. The result of this study showed that happiness in the intervention group had significantly increased (p < 0.001). The results also showed that the quality of life in four sub-domains increased significantly. CONCLUSION To bring happiness to chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes is essential and may result in returning them to society and healthy life. The results of this study showed that AAT was helpful for chronic psychiatric patients living in psychiatric residential care homes and not only made them happy but also increased their quality of life. TRIAL REGISTRATION This was registered in Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) (clinical trial code: IRCT20101013004922N4. Registered 2018-08-19. Retrospectively registered, https://www.irct.ir/trial/32390.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sahebalzamani
- grid.411463.50000 0001 0706 2472Department of Management, Faculty of Health, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Rezaei
- grid.472458.80000 0004 0612 774XDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ladan Fattah Moghadam
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of nursing and midwifery, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
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Aragunde-Kohl U, Gómez-Galán J, Lázaro-Pérez C, Martínez-López JÁ. Interaction and Emotional Connection with Pets: A Descriptive Analysis from Puerto Rico. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112136. [PMID: 33212986 PMCID: PMC7698559 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The coexistence of humans with pets, and the type and quality of interactions that derive from it, is a growing line of research that covers many scientific disciplines: veterinary sciences, education, psychology, biological sciences, sociology, neuroscience, etc. In this article, we analyze both the characteristics of care for pets and the feelings and emotions involved in the human–pet relationship in the population of Puerto Rico. The sample has been of 1436 people. The most representative results of the research show how pets have a positive impact on the mental health of their owners, because of the emotional connection established, which leads them to experience mainly feelings of love, joy and peace. Abstract The study of human–animal interactions has become a prominent research field. The presence of pets in our daily lives has meant a change in the perception of our relationship with pets. One of the new lines of research that has opened up in this area analyzes the possible physical, emotional, and psychological benefits of a human–animal bond. In this context, two main objectives were pursued in this study, whose sample (N = 1436) was investigated in Puerto Rico: (PO1) determining the characteristics of the owners and the care of the pets within Puerto Rican society and (PO2) to analyzing the benefits of living with pets for health and personal well-being, especially at the psychological level. We sought to identify the feelings that arose in pet caretakers as a result of human–animal interactions. The methodology used, which was descriptive and not experimental, was based on a questionnaire of 86 questions with a Likert scale. After the descriptive analysis was undertaken through a frequency analysis, a binary logistic regression was carried out to establish whether the feelings and emotions of the subjects toward their companion pets were determined by sociodemographic variables and were related to the type of coexistence with their pets. The two main results from this study are as follows: for most owners, their pets are very important beings, and those who establish an emotional connection with their pets experience love, joy, and peace. Pets are part of human life through very intense relationships and interactions that, in most cases, increase personal welfare by providing improvements to the human–animal biopsychosocial system. In this sense, a relationship with a pet has a positive impact on the mental health of the owner. Pets are a part of our family lives and are regulators of the most elementary feelings and emotions in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Aragunde-Kohl
- Department of Psychology, Ana G. Méndez University, Gurabo Campus, Gurabo, PR 00777, USA;
| | - José Gómez-Galán
- Department of Education, University of Extremadura, Avda, de Elvas, s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
- College of Education, Ana G. Méndez University, Cupey Campus, San Juan, PR 00926, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristina Lázaro-Pérez
- Department of Sociology, University of Murcia, C/Campus Universitario, 11, 30100 Murcia, Spain;
| | - José Ángel Martínez-López
- Department of Social Work and Social Services, University of Murcia, Avda, Teniente Flomesta, 5, 30003 Murcia, Spain;
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Gibbon S, Khalifa NR, Cheung NHY, Völlm BA, McCarthy L. Psychological interventions for antisocial personality disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 9:CD007668. [PMID: 32880104 PMCID: PMC8094166 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd007668.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antisocial personality disorder (AsPD) is associated with poor mental health, criminality, substance use and relationship difficulties. This review updates Gibbon 2010 (previous version of the review). OBJECTIVES To evaluate the potential benefits and adverse effects of psychological interventions for adults with AsPD. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, 13 other databases and two trials registers up to 5 September 2019. We also searched reference lists and contacted study authors to identify studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials of adults, where participants with an AsPD or dissocial personality disorder diagnosis comprised at least 75% of the sample randomly allocated to receive a psychological intervention, treatment-as-usual (TAU), waiting list or no treatment. The primary outcomes were aggression, reconviction, global state/functioning, social functioning and adverse events. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS This review includes 19 studies (eight new to this update), comparing a psychological intervention against TAU (also called 'standard Maintenance'(SM) in some studies). Eight of the 18 psychological interventions reported data on our primary outcomes. Four studies focussed exclusively on participants with AsPD, and 15 on subgroups of participants with AsPD. Data were available from only 10 studies involving 605 participants. Eight studies were conducted in the UK and North America, and one each in Iran, Denmark and the Netherlands. Study duration ranged from 4 to 156 weeks (median = 26 weeks). Most participants (75%) were male; the mean age was 35.5 years. Eleven studies (58%) were funded by research councils. Risk of bias was high for 13% of criteria, unclear for 54% and low for 33%. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) + TAU versus TAU One study (52 participants) found no evidence of a difference between CBT + TAU and TAU for physical aggression (odds ratio (OR) 0.92, 95% CI 0.28 to 3.07; low-certainty evidence) for outpatients at 12 months post-intervention. One study (39 participants) found no evidence of a difference between CBT + TAU and TAU for social functioning (mean difference (MD) -1.60 points, 95% CI -5.21 to 2.01; very low-certainty evidence), measured by the Social Functioning Questionnaire (SFQ; range = 0-24), for outpatients at 12 months post-intervention. Impulsive lifestyle counselling (ILC) + TAU versus TAU One study (118 participants) found no evidence of a difference between ILC + TAU and TAU for trait aggression (assessed with Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire-Short Form) for outpatients at nine months (MD 0.07, CI -0.35 to 0.49; very low-certainty evidence). One study (142 participants) found no evidence of a difference between ILC + TAU and TAU alone for the adverse event of death (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.04 to 4.54; very low-certainty evidence) or incarceration (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.86; very low-certainty evidence) for outpatients between three and nine months follow-up. Contingency management (CM) + SM versus SM One study (83 participants) found evidence that, compared to SM alone, CM + SM may improve social functioning measured by family/social scores on the Addiction Severity Index (ASI; range = 0 (no problems) to 1 (severe problems); MD -0.08, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.02; low-certainty evidence) for outpatients at six months. 'Driving whilst intoxicated' programme (DWI) + incarceration versus incarceration One study (52 participants) found no evidence of a difference between DWI + incarceration and incarceration alone on reconviction rates (hazard ratio 0.56, CI -0.19 to 1.31; very low-certainty evidence) for prisoner participants at 24 months. Schema therapy (ST) versus TAU One study (30 participants in a secure psychiatric hospital, 87% had AsPD diagnosis) found no evidence of a difference between ST and TAU for the number of participants who were reconvicted (OR 2.81, 95% CI 0.11 to 74.56, P = 0.54) at three years. The same study found that ST may be more likely to improve social functioning (assessed by the mean number of days until patients gain unsupervised leave (MD -137.33, 95% CI -271.31 to -3.35) compared to TAU, and no evidence of a difference between the groups for overall adverse events, classified as the number of people experiencing a global negative outcome over a three-year period (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.08 to 2.19). The certainty of the evidence for all outcomes was very low. Social problem-solving (SPS) + psychoeducation (PE) versus TAU One study (17 participants) found no evidence of a difference between SPS + PE and TAU for participants' level of social functioning (MD -1.60 points, 95% CI -5.43 to 2.23; very low-certainty evidence) assessed with the SFQ at six months post-intervention. Dialectical behaviour therapy versus TAU One study (skewed data, 14 participants) provided very low-certainty, narrative evidence that DBT may reduce the number of self-harm days for outpatients at two months post-intervention compared to TAU. Psychosocial risk management (PSRM; 'Resettle') versus TAU One study (skewed data, 35 participants) found no evidence of a difference between PSRM and TAU for a number of officially recorded offences at one year after release from prison. It also found no evidence of difference between the PSRM and TAU for the adverse event of death during the study period (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.05 to 14.83, P = 0.94, 72 participants (90% had AsPD), 1 study, very low-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is very limited evidence available on psychological interventions for adults with AsPD. Few interventions addressed the primary outcomes of this review and, of the eight that did, only three (CM + SM, ST and DBT) showed evidence that the intervention may be more effective than the control condition. No intervention reported compelling evidence of change in antisocial behaviour. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was low or very low, meaning that we have little confidence in the effect estimates reported. The conclusions of this update have not changed from those of the original review, despite the addition of eight new studies. This highlights the ongoing need for further methodologically rigorous studies to yield further data to guide the development and application of psychological interventions for AsPD and may suggest that a new approach is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Gibbon
- Arnold Lodge, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Najat R Khalifa
- Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, Canada
| | - Natalie H-Y Cheung
- Forensic Research, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Birgit A Völlm
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Center for Neurology, University Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lucy McCarthy
- Arnold Lodge, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Leicester, UK
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14
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Murray J, Wickramasekera N, Elings M, Bragg R, Brennan C, Richardson Z, Wright J, Llorente MG, Cade J, Shickle D, Tubeuf S, Elsey H. The impact of care farms on quality of life, depression and anxiety among different population groups: A systematic review. CAMPBELL SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS 2019; 15:e1061. [PMID: 37131853 PMCID: PMC8534033 DOI: 10.1002/cl2.1061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Care farming (also called social farming) is the therapeutic use of agricultural and farming practices. Service users and communities supported through care farming include people with learning disabilities, mental and physical health problems, substance misuse, adult offenders, disaffected youth, socially isolated older people and the long term unemployed. Care farming is growing in popularity, especially around Europe. This review aimed to understand the impact of care farming on quality of life, depression and anxiety, on a range of service user groups. It also aimed to explore and explain the way in which care farming might work for different groups. By reviewing interview studies we found that people valued, among other things, being in contact with each other, and feeling a sense of achievement, fulfilment and belonging. Some groups seemed to appreciate different things indicating that different groups may benefit in different ways but, it is unclear if this is due to a difference in the types of activities or the way in which people take different things from the same activity. We found no evidence that care farms improved people's quality of life and some evidence that they might improve depression and anxiety. Larger studies involving single service user groups and fully validated outcome measures are needed to prove more conclusive evidence about the benefits of care farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenni Murray
- Academic Unit of Public Health, Leeds Institute of Health SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Nyantara Wickramasekera
- Academic Unit of Public Health, Leeds Institute of Health SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Marjolein Elings
- Plant Research InternationalWageningen UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Cathy Brennan
- Academic Unit of Public Health, Leeds Institute of Health SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Zoe Richardson
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of YorkYorkUK
| | - Judy Wright
- Leeds Institute of Health SciencesThe University of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Marina G. Llorente
- Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Social‐Ecological Systems Lab, Ecology DepartmentUniversidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)MadridSpain
| | | | - Darren Shickle
- Academic Unit of Public Health, Leeds Institute of Health SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Sandy Tubeuf
- Academic Unit of Public Health, Leeds Institute of Health SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
| | - Helen Elsey
- Academic Unit of Public Health, Leeds Institute of Health SciencesUniversity of LeedsLeedsUK
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15
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Paws for Thought: A Controlled Study Investigating the Benefits of Interacting with a House-Trained Dog on University Students Mood and Anxiety. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9100846. [PMID: 31640244 PMCID: PMC6826684 DOI: 10.3390/ani9100846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary This study investigates whether interacting with a dog would have a positive effect on university students’ mood and anxiety. Students were assigned to either watch videos of a dog or interact directly with a dog. Several measures were collected both before and after their assigned conditions to evaluate their mood and anxiety levels and to assess for possible changes. The results indicated that participants in both conditions experienced a reduction in their anxiety and an improvement in their mood across time, however those who directly interacted with a dog experienced a greater decline in anxiety and improved mood scores. Abstract University students have been found to have higher rates of psychological distress than that of the general population, which reportedly rises significantly upon starting university and does not return to pre-university levels throughout their time in university. It is therefore highly important to find ways to improve student health and well-being. One way that may help is by interacting with animals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether interacting with a dog would have a positive effect on university students’ mood and anxiety. This study assigned 82 university students to either the experimental condition (dog interaction, n = 41) or to the control condition (dog video, n = 41). The students completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Expanded Form (PANAS-X), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Pet Attitude Scale before their assigned conditions, to evaluate their mood and anxiety levels and attitudes to animals. The participants again completed the STAI and PANAS-X Form after their condition, to assess for possible changes in anxiety and mood. The findings of the study indicated that all participants, regardless of condition, experienced a reduction in their anxiety and an improvement in their mood across time. However, directly interacting with a dog resulted in greater declines in anxiety and improved mood scores, more so than watching a video. Consequently, it appears there are psychological benefits to be gained by students from interacting with dogs and it is hoped this study will help to inform future best practices in designing student dog interventions.
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16
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Hawkins EL, Hawkins RD, Dennis M, Williams JM, Lawrie SM. Animal-assisted therapy for schizophrenia and related disorders: A systematic review. J Psychiatr Res 2019; 115:51-60. [PMID: 31108372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is increasingly researched as a potential treatment for physical and mental illness, including schizophrenia. The aim of the current paper is to systematically review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to assess the effectiveness of AAT for schizophrenia and related disorders. We searched PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CAB Abstracts, and Web of Science for RCTs of AAT for schizophrenia and related disorders. Primary outcomes were mental state and behaviour, clinical global response, and quality of life and wellbeing. Studies were eligible if they were RCTs that had compared AAT, or other animal-assisted intervention, to any control group using any participants with a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia (or related disorder), regardless of age, gender, setting, or severity and duration of illness. Seven studies were identified for the review. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity of studies, including marked differences in outcome measures and interventions. Five out of seven studies included symptoms as an outcome measure, with one reporting improvements in negative symptoms and one study reporting improvements in positive and emotional symptoms. The remaining studies reported no significant effects of AAT. Three studies included quality of life as an outcome measure but did not find any significant effects. Two studies did, however, report improvements in various measures of self-view. The use of AAT for schizophrenia remains inconclusive and there is currently not enough evidence to draw any firm conclusions due to heterogeneity of studies, risk of bias, and small samples. Rigorous, large-scale RCTs are needed to assess the true impact of AAT on schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Hawkins
- Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Roxanne D Hawkins
- School of Media, Culture, and Society, University of West Scotland, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Martin Dennis
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Joanne M Williams
- School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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17
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Okamura T, Ura C, Yamazaki S, Shimmei M, Torishima K, Kawamuro Y. Green care farm as a new tool for inclusion of older people with various challenges in the super-aged community. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2019; 34:777-778. [PMID: 30869819 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tsuyoshi Okamura
- Research Team for Promoting Independence, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chiaki Ura
- Research Team for Promoting Independence, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Masaya Shimmei
- Research Team for Promoting Independence, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan.,Research Center on Policy Analysis, Institute for Future Engineering, Tokyo, Japan
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18
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Flynn E, Roguski J, Wolf J, Trujillo K, Tedeschi P, Morris KN. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Animal-Assisted Therapy as an Adjunct to Intensive Family Preservation Services. CHILD MALTREATMENT 2019; 24:161-168. [PMID: 30537874 DOI: 10.1177/1077559518817678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
METHOD Families referred by Child Protective Services ( M child age = 6 years ± 4; M parent age = 32 years ± 8.26) were individually randomized to experimental ( n = 14) or control ( n = 14) intervention. Family functioning outcomes were measured using the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale for Reunification. RESULTS All four targeted family functioning outcomes were significantly increased for participants who received animal-assisted therapy as an adjunct to intensive family preservation services ( n = 14) with medium to large effect sizes. These improvements were sustained in two of the subscales through discharge. No significant differences were measured for the distal clinical outcome of disposition of children at discharge. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that adding animal-assisted therapy as an adjunct can improve evidence-based clinical interventions aimed at enhancing the caregiving contexts of children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Flynn
- 1 Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Kate Trujillo
- 4 Department of Social Work, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Philip Tedeschi
- 1 Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Kevin N Morris
- 1 Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
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19
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Hawkins E, Hawkins R, Dennis M, Williams J, Lawrie SM. Animal‐assisted therapy, including animal‐assisted activities and resident animals, for improving quality of life in people with stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 2019:CD013314. [PMCID: PMC6477876 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of animal‐assisted therapy for improving quality of life for people with stroke. A secondary objective is to assess outcomes relating to the feasibility and potential barriers of providing animal‐assisted therapy for stroke patients, including recruitment, cost, adherence, and attrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Hawkins
- University of EdinburghDepartment of PsychiatryEdinburghUK
| | - Roxanne Hawkins
- University of West of ScotlandSchool of Media, Culture and SocietyRoom L248, Elles Building EastPaisley CampusPaisleyUK
| | - Martin Dennis
- University of EdinburghCentre for Clinical Brain SciencesEdinburghUK
| | - Joanne Williams
- University of EdinburghSchool of Health in Social ScienceEdinburghUK
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20
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Elsey H, Bragg R, Elings M, Brennan C, Farragher T, Tubeuf S, Gold R, Shickle D, Wickramasekera N, Richardson Z, Cade J, Murray J. Impact and cost-effectiveness of care farms on health and well-being of offenders on probation: a pilot study. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.3310/phr06030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Care farms (CFs), in which all or part of the farm is used for therapeutic purposes, show potential for improving well-being for disadvantaged groups. We assessed the feasibility of determining the cost-effectiveness of CFs in improving quality of life compared with comparator sites among probationers undertaking community orders (COs).
Objectives
(1) To conduct a systematic review of CF impacts and mechanisms in improving health and logic
model development; (2) to inform future studies by estimating differences
in quality of life and other outcomes, identifying factors driving CO
allocation and ways to maximise recruitment and follow-up; and (3) to assess
feasibility of cost-effectiveness analysis.
Review methods
A mixed-methods synthesis following Campbell Collaboration guidelines. Pilot study: three probation service regions in England, each with a CF and a comparator CO site. Participants were adult offenders (aged ≥ 18 years) serving COs. The primary outcome was quality of life [as measured via the Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation–Outcome Measure (CORE-OM)]. Other outcomes were health behaviours, mental well-being, connectedness to nature and reconvictions.
Data sources
In November 2014, we searched 22 health, education, environmental, criminal justice and social science electronic databases, databases of grey literature and care farming websites across Europe. There were no language restrictions. A full list of databases searched is given in
Appendix 1; some examples include Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (via EBSCOhost), The Campbell Library, Criminal Justice Abstracts (via EBSCOhost), MEDLINE (via Ovid) and Scopus (Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands).
Results
Our systematic review identified 1659 articles: 14 qualitative, 12 quantitative and one mixed-methods study. Small sample sizes and poor design meant that all were rated as being at a high risk of bias. Components of CFs that potentially improve health are being in a group, the role of the farmer and meaningful work, and interaction with animals. There was a lack of quantitative evidence indicating that CFs improve quality of life and there was weak evidence of improved mental health, self-efficacy, self-esteem, affect and mood. In the pilot study we recruited 134 respondents, and only 21 declined; 37% were allocated to three CFs and the remainder to comparators. This was below our recruitment target of 300. Recruitment proved challenging as a result of the changes in probation (probation trusts were disbanded in 2014) and closure of one CF. We found significant differences between CFs and comparator users: those at CFs were more likely to be male, smokers, substance users, at higher risk of reoffending (a confounder) and have more missing CORE-OM questions. Despite these differences, the use of propensity analysis facilitated comparison. Participants consented to our team accessing, and we were able to link, probation and police reconviction data for 90% of respondents. We gained follow-up questionnaire data from 52% of respondents, including health and social care use cost data. We transformed CORE-OM into CORE-6D, allowing derivation of quality-adjusted life-years. As a pilot, our study was not powered to identify significant differences in outcomes. Qualitatively, we observed that within COs, CFs can be formally recognised as rehabilitative but in practice can be seen as punitive.
Limitations
Changes in probation presented many challenges that limited recruitment and collection of cost data.
Conclusions
Recruitment is likely to be feasible in a more stable probation environment. Retention among probationers is challenging but assessing reconvictions from existing data is feasible. We found worse health and risk of reoffending among offenders at CFs, reflecting the use of CFs by probation to manage challenging offenders.
Future work
A sufficiently powered natural experiment is feasible and of value. Using reconvictions (from police data) as a primary outcome is one solution to challenges with retention. Propensity analysis provides a viable method for comparison despite differences in participants at CFs and comparator sites. However, future work is dependent on stability and support for CFs within probation services.
Study registration
This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42014013892 and SW2013–04 (the Campbell Collaboration).
Funding details
The National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Elsey
- Academic Unit of Public Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Rachel Bragg
- Essex Sustainability Institute, University of Essex, Colchester, UK
| | - Marjolein Elings
- Plant Research International, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Cathy Brennan
- Academic Unit of Public Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Sandy Tubeuf
- Academic Unit of Health Economics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Rochelle Gold
- NHS e-Referral Service, Health Digital Services, NHS Digital, Leeds, UK
| | - Darren Shickle
- Academic Unit of Public Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Zoe Richardson
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Janet Cade
- Nutritional Epidemiology Group, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Jenni Murray
- Academic Unit of Public Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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21
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Animal-assisted therapy used for anxiety disorders in patients with learning disabilities: An observational study. Eur J Integr Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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22
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Tuuvas M, Carlsson J, Norberg J. A healing relationship: Clients’ experiences of the long-term relational significance of the horse in horse assisted psychotherapy. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY & COUNSELLING 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/13642537.2017.1348375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Carlsson
- Department of Law, Psychology, and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Joakim Norberg
- Department of Psychology, Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala, Sweden
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23
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The Efficacy of Dog Assisted Therapy in Detained Drug Users: A Pilot Study in an Italian Attenuated Custody Institute. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 14:ijerph14070683. [PMID: 28672787 PMCID: PMC5551121 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14070683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Drug addiction is a major care and safety challenge in prison context. Nowadays, rehabilitation and specific therapeutic programs are suggested to improve health and well-being of inmates during their detention time and to reduce substance abuse relapse after release from prison. Among these programs, several studies reported the benefits for inmates coming from animal assisted interventions. In this pilot controlled study, we investigated the efficacy of a dog assisted therapy program addressed to 22 drug addicted male inmates housed in an attenuated custody institute in Italy. The study lasted six months, the treated group (12 inmates) was involved once a week for one hour in 20 dog assisted therapy sessions, whereas the control group (10 inmates) followed the standard rehabilitation program. One week before the beginning and one week after the end of the sessions, all inmates involved were submitted to symptom checklist-90-revised and Kennedy axis V. Inmates involved in the dog assisted therapy sessions significantly improved their social skills, reducing craving, anxiety and depression symptoms compared to the control group. Despite the limitation due to the small number of inmates enrolled and to the absence of follow up, we found these results encouraging to the use of dog assisted therapy as co-therapy in drug addicted inmates rehabilitation programs, and we claim the need of more extensive study on this subject.
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Hassink J, De Bruin SR, Berget B, Elings M. Exploring the Role of Farm Animals in Providing Care at Care Farms. Animals (Basel) 2017; 7:ani7060045. [PMID: 28574435 PMCID: PMC5483608 DOI: 10.3390/ani7060045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We explore the role of farm animals in providing care to different types of participants at care farms (e.g., youngsters with behavioural problems, people with severe mental problems and people with dementia). Care farms provide alternative and promising settings where people can interact with animals compared to a therapeutic healthcare setting. We performed a literature review, conducted focus group meetings and carried out secondary data-analysis of qualitative studies involving care farmers and different types of participants. We found that farm animals are important to many participants and have a large number of potential benefits. They can (i) provide meaningful day occupation; (ii) generate valued relationships; (iii) help people master tasks; (iv) provide opportunities for reciprocity; (v) can distract people from them problems; (vi) provide relaxation; (vii) facilitate customized care; (viii) facilitate relationships with other people; (ix) stimulate healthy behavior; (x) contribute to a welcoming environment; (xi) make it possible to experience basic elements of life; and (xii) provide opportunities for reflection and feedback. This shows the multi-facetted importance of interacting with animals on care farms. In this study the types of activities with animals and their value to different types of participants varied. Farm animals are an important element of the care farm environment that can address the care needs of different types of participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Hassink
- Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Simone R De Bruin
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Bente Berget
- Agderforskning, Gimlemoen, P.O.Box 422, 4604 Kristiansand, Norway.
| | - Marjolein Elings
- Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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25
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Pedersen I, Patil G, Berget B, Ihlebæk C, Gonzalez MT. Mental health rehabilitation in a care farm context: A descriptive review of Norwegian intervention studies. Work 2015; 53:31-43. [PMID: 26684702 DOI: 10.3233/wor-152213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND C are farming is a service developed at farms for promoting mental and physical health and is increasingly used in mental health rehabilitation in Norway. OBJECTIVE This article aims to present a descriptive review of Norwegian intervention research on care farms that provide rehabilitation for people with mental health disorders. METHODS This literature review applied a non-systematic search strategy: all articles in the field known to the authors were selected for inclusion. The selected studies were intervention studies that were conducted on farms in Norway, that used adult participants with mental health problems/disorders, and that reported outcome measures related to mental health. The studies and articles presented quantitative and/or qualitative data. RESULTS The findings from the published articles report improvements to mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, positive affect, rumination, and self-efficacy. Qualitative data describe a variety of positive experiences, such as improved coping ability, increased social support, and appreciation of the care farm activity. CONCLUSION Participating in interventions on care farms positively influences mental health. Care farming may therefore be used as a supplementary approach in mental health rehabilitation, as it offers meaningful and engaging occupations and social inclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg Pedersen
- Section for Public Health Science, Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Grete Patil
- Section for Public Health Science, Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Bente Berget
- Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Camilla Ihlebæk
- Section for Public Health Science, Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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26
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Gallagher M, Muldoon OT, Pettigrew J. An integrative review of social and occupational factors influencing health and wellbeing. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1281. [PMID: 26388800 PMCID: PMC4554961 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic approaches to health and wellbeing have traditionally assumed that meaningful activity or occupation contributes to health and quality of life. Within social psychology, everyday activities and practices that fill our lives are believed to be shaped by structural and systemic factors and in turn these practices can form the basis of social identities. In occupational therapy these everyday activities are called occupations. Occupations can be understood as a contextually bound synthesis of meaningful doing, being, belonging and becoming that influence health and wellbeing. We contend that an integrative review of occupational therapy and social psychology literature will enhance our ability to understand the relationship between social structures, identity and dimensions of occupation by elucidating how they inform one another, and how taken together they augment our understanding of health and wellbeing This review incorporates theoretical and empirical works purposively sampled from databases within EBSCO including CINAHL, psychINFO, psychArticles, and Web of Science. Search terms included: occupation, therapy, social psychology, occupational science, health, wellbeing, identity, structures and combinations of these terms. In presenting this review, we argue that doing, being and belonging may act as an important link to widely acknowledged relationships between social factors and health and wellbeing, and that interventions targeting individual change may be problematic.
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Affiliation(s)
- MaryBeth Gallagher
- Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Orla T. Muldoon
- Centre for Social Issues Research, Department of Psychology, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Judith Pettigrew
- Department of Clinical Therapies, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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Schramm E, Hediger K, Lang UE. From Animal Behavior to Human Health. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PSYCHOLOGIE-JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1027/2151-2604/a000220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Abstract. Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been shown to be effective in recent meta-analyses with an improvement of mental health, quality of life, and a decrease in the sense of isolation. Reduction of depressive symptoms in human beings is one of the most beneficial outcomes of AAT. For relapse prevention in depression, conventional mindfulness programs such as mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy(MBCT) proved to be useful, but are often difficult to learn and produce high dropout rates in high risk patients. For this patient group, the teaching of mindfulness skills was facilitated by using sheep in an open pilot study. Six partially or unstable remitted patients with early trauma participated in eight group sessions of a nature and animal-assisted mindfulness training. The approach was feasible and highly accepted by participants with no dropouts. The results show a decrease of depressive symptoms and rumination, an improvement of overall mindfulness skills, but not of acceptance skills. Further studies using randomized controlled designs are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Schramm
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany
- University Psychiatric Clinics (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hediger
- Human and Animal Health Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Switzerland
- IEMT Switzerland, Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on the Human-Animal Relationship, c/o Swiss TPH, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Undine E. Lang
- University Psychiatric Clinics (UPK), Basel, Switzerland
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Leck C, Upton D, Evans N. Growing well-beings: The positive experience of care farms. Br J Health Psychol 2015; 20:745-62. [DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chris Leck
- Institute of Health and Society; University of Worcester; UK
| | - Dominic Upton
- Faculty of Health; University of Canberra; Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Nick Evans
- Department of Geography; Institute of Science and the Environment; University of Worcester; UK
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Granerud A, Eriksson BG. Mental Health Problems, Recovery, and the Impact of Green Care Services: A Qualitative, Participant-Focused Approach. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/0164212x.2014.938558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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30
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Thodberg K, Berget B, Lidfors L. Research in the use of animals as a treatment for humans. Anim Front 2014. [DOI: 10.2527/af.2014-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Thodberg
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Bente Berget
- Buskerud and Vestfold University College, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Lena Lidfors
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
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Iancu SC, Hoogendoorn AW, Zweekhorst MBM, Veltman DJ, Bunders JFG, van Balkom AJLM. Farm-based interventions for people with mental disorders: a systematic review of literature. Disabil Rehabil 2014; 37:379-88. [PMID: 24963943 DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2014.932441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Farms are increasingly used in mental healthcare. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence on the effectiveness of farm-based interventions for patients with mental disorders. METHODS Controlled and uncontrolled studies of farm-based interventions were included. Within- and between group effect sizes were calculated. Qualitative data were summarized using thematic synthesis. The review followed the PRISMA, Cochrane and COREQ standards. RESULTS The eleven articles included reported results of five studies, three of which were randomized control trials (RCTs). Overall, 223 patients with depressive disorders, schizophrenia or heterogeneous mental disorders attended three types of farms-based interventions. Favourable effects on clinical status variables were found in one study in patients with depressive disorders that did not respond to medication and/or psychotherapy, and in one RCT in patients with schizophrenia. Assessment of rehabilitative effects (functioning and quality of life) was limited and yielded conflicting results. Patients' experiences revealed that social and occupational components of interventions were perceived as beneficial, and provided insights into how farm-based interventions may facilitate recovery. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the farm environment should be considered, especially for patients with mental disorders who do not achieve an adequate response with other treatment options. Further research is needed to clarify potential social and occupational benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sorana C Iancu
- ATHENA Institute, Department of Innovation in the Health and Life Sciences, VU University Amsterdam , the Netherlands and
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Iancu SC, Zweekhorst MBM, Veltman DJ, van Balkom AJLM, Bunders JFG. Mental health recovery on care farms and day centres: a qualitative comparative study of users’ perspectives. Disabil Rehabil 2013; 36:573-83. [DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2013.804595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Pedersen I, Ihlebæk C, Kirkevold M. Important elements in farm animal-assisted interventions for persons with clinical depression: a qualitative interview study. Disabil Rehabil 2012; 34:1526-34. [DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2011.650309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Animal-Assisted Interventions for psychiatric patients: Beliefs in treatment effects among practitioners. Eur J Integr Med 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.2011.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Pedersen I, Nordaunet T, Martinsen EW, Berget B, Braastad BO. Farm animal-assisted intervention: relationship between work and contact with farm animals and change in depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy among persons with clinical depression. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2011; 32:493-500. [PMID: 21767251 DOI: 10.3109/01612840.2011.566982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Fourteen adults with clinical depression participated twice a week in a 12-week farm animal-assisted intervention consisting of work and contact with dairy cattle. Each participant was video-recorded twice during the intervention, and the recordings were categorized with respect to various work tasks and animal and human contact. Levels of anxiety and depression decreased and self-efficacy increased during the intervention. Interaction with farm animals via work tasks showed a greater potential for improved mental health than via sole animal contact, but only when progress in working skills was achieved, indicating the role of coping experiences for a successful intervention.
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