Title of Research
Start Date
17-8-2018 10:00 AM
End Date
17-8-2018 11:30 AM
Abstract
Effects of Animal Therapy in Adult Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder: An Integrative Literature Review
Evelyn Neville
Faculty Sponsor: Barb Harris
Background: While the positive effects animal assisted therapy has shown to have on a general patient population, limited studies have examined the full effect of animal assisted therapy as an adjunct for patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder to improve their lives.
Objectives: The purpose of this literature review was to identify the positive outcomes of adjunct animal assisted therapy on patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and whether or not it is a useful adjunct therapy for these patients.
Method: An integrative literature review was conducted using the databases CINAHL complete, PubMed, UpToDate, ProQuest Nursing and Google Scholar. Search terms such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, animal assisted therapy, equestrian therapy and dog therapy were used in isolation and combination to identify potential research studies.
Results: Five major positive outcomes were identified across the 7 studies reviewed: an increase in social interaction/social functioning, a decrease in negative symptoms, a decrease in anxiety/stress, and an increase in self-esteem and an increase in adherence/motivation for treatment. A majority consensus across the studies was also found to support animal assisted therapy as a worthwhile adjunct treatment to patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Conclusion: Further research will need to be conducted to confirm the findings of this literature review that animal assisted therapy is a positive and worthwhile adjunct therapy for patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Included in
Effects of Animal Therapy in Adult Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder: An Integrative Literature Review
Effects of Animal Therapy in Adult Patients with Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder: An Integrative Literature Review
Evelyn Neville
Faculty Sponsor: Barb Harris
Background: While the positive effects animal assisted therapy has shown to have on a general patient population, limited studies have examined the full effect of animal assisted therapy as an adjunct for patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder to improve their lives.
Objectives: The purpose of this literature review was to identify the positive outcomes of adjunct animal assisted therapy on patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and whether or not it is a useful adjunct therapy for these patients.
Method: An integrative literature review was conducted using the databases CINAHL complete, PubMed, UpToDate, ProQuest Nursing and Google Scholar. Search terms such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, animal assisted therapy, equestrian therapy and dog therapy were used in isolation and combination to identify potential research studies.
Results: Five major positive outcomes were identified across the 7 studies reviewed: an increase in social interaction/social functioning, a decrease in negative symptoms, a decrease in anxiety/stress, and an increase in self-esteem and an increase in adherence/motivation for treatment. A majority consensus across the studies was also found to support animal assisted therapy as a worthwhile adjunct treatment to patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Conclusion: Further research will need to be conducted to confirm the findings of this literature review that animal assisted therapy is a positive and worthwhile adjunct therapy for patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.