Improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions (AAIS): A systematic review
Introduction Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs) are increasingly introduced in pediatric care settings as a mean to promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of hospitalized children and adolescents and the humanization of the hospital environment. Objectives The aim of this work...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-04-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821012426/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797616590468939776 |
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| author | C. Correale M. Borgi B. Collacchi T. Grimaldi Capitello F. Vigevano F. Cirulli S. Cappelletti |
| author_facet | C. Correale M. Borgi B. Collacchi T. Grimaldi Capitello F. Vigevano F. Cirulli S. Cappelletti |
| author_sort | C. Correale |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs) are increasingly introduced in pediatric care settings as a mean to promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of hospitalized children and adolescents and the humanization of the hospital environment.
Objectives
The aim of this work was to review published studies implementing AAIs in hospital settings and to assess their effectiveness in reducing stress and pain, ameliorating social behavior, quality of life, and mood in pediatric patients. Reviewed interventions were also evaluated for their effects on caregiver’s stress and burden, as well as on perception of the work environment in hospital staff.
Methods
Studies were systematically searched using PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest and Web of Science databases in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The search was aimed at identifying studies examining the effects of AAIs on behavioral and physiological response to stress in children and adolescents (0-18 years) formally admitted to a hospital for a stay, as well as in those undergoing a visit for treatments or medical examinations.
Results
Of 350 studies screened, 17 were eligible for inclusion. Most of them focused on stress, pain and anxiety reduction in pediatric patients, and used both physiological parameters and behavioral observations/scales. The vast majority of the studies employed dogs. Results show the potential of AAIs to reduce anxiety and behavioral distress in pediatric patients, while acting on physiological measures associated with arousal.
Conclusions
Although further studies of better quality are still needed, the findings of this review may have implications for clinical practices suggesting appropriate planning of AAIs by pediatric healthcare professionals.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:43:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8fc54f9efa6a4a62833401638b66479b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:43:18Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-8fc54f9efa6a4a62833401638b66479b2023-11-17T05:08:11ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852021-04-0164S465S46510.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1242Improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions (AAIS): A systematic reviewC. Correale0M. Borgi1B. Collacchi2T. Grimaldi Capitello3F. Vigevano4F. Cirulli5S. Cappelletti6Clinical Psychology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, ItalyCenter For Behavioural Sciences And Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, er for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Rome, ItalyCenter For Behavioural Sciences And Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, er for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Rome, ItalyClinical Psychology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, ItalyNeurological Sciences, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, ItalyCenter For Behavioural Sciences And Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, er for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Rome, ItalyClinical Psychology, Bambino Gesù Children Hospital, Rome, Italy Introduction Animal Assisted Interventions (AAIs) are increasingly introduced in pediatric care settings as a mean to promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of hospitalized children and adolescents and the humanization of the hospital environment. Objectives The aim of this work was to review published studies implementing AAIs in hospital settings and to assess their effectiveness in reducing stress and pain, ameliorating social behavior, quality of life, and mood in pediatric patients. Reviewed interventions were also evaluated for their effects on caregiver’s stress and burden, as well as on perception of the work environment in hospital staff. Methods Studies were systematically searched using PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest and Web of Science databases in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The search was aimed at identifying studies examining the effects of AAIs on behavioral and physiological response to stress in children and adolescents (0-18 years) formally admitted to a hospital for a stay, as well as in those undergoing a visit for treatments or medical examinations. Results Of 350 studies screened, 17 were eligible for inclusion. Most of them focused on stress, pain and anxiety reduction in pediatric patients, and used both physiological parameters and behavioral observations/scales. The vast majority of the studies employed dogs. Results show the potential of AAIs to reduce anxiety and behavioral distress in pediatric patients, while acting on physiological measures associated with arousal. Conclusions Although further studies of better quality are still needed, the findings of this review may have implications for clinical practices suggesting appropriate planning of AAIs by pediatric healthcare professionals. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821012426/type/journal_articlehumanization of carestress and pain reductionAnimal Assisted InterventionsPediatric Hospital |
| spellingShingle | C. Correale M. Borgi B. Collacchi T. Grimaldi Capitello F. Vigevano F. Cirulli S. Cappelletti Improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions (AAIS): A systematic review European Psychiatry humanization of care stress and pain reduction Animal Assisted Interventions Pediatric Hospital |
| title | Improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions (AAIS): A systematic review |
| title_full | Improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions (AAIS): A systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions (AAIS): A systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions (AAIS): A systematic review |
| title_short | Improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions (AAIS): A systematic review |
| title_sort | improving hospitalization in children and adolescents through animal assisted interventions aais a systematic review |
| topic | humanization of care stress and pain reduction Animal Assisted Interventions Pediatric Hospital |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821012426/type/journal_article |
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