Objective:

This randomized, parallel assignment open label study aimed to explore the effects of animal assisted therapy (AAT) on anxiety, depression, quality of life, motivation, and overall functional recovery in acute post-stroke patients.

Background:

Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the United States. Studies show stroke survivors have a higher risk of developing depression that can impair cognitive and functional rehabilitation. AAT is a form of rehabilitation; studies show reduction in sympathetic nervous excitability, physical and mental stress. AAT can be used to treat anxiety and depression and improve post-stroke recovery.

Design/Methods:

Participants were assigned to either an experimental group (N = 30) where they received AAT up to three times a week per seven day period, or to a control group (N = 10) where they did not receive any AAT. The AAT consisted of two animal assistance trained dogs interacting with study subjects under supervision of a licensed therapist. Three surveys were used: GAD-7 assessing for anxiety, PHQ-9 assessing for depression, and SS-QoL assessing for quality of life in post-stroke patients. Baseline and post-therapy surveys were collected in both groups; net change in scores was recorded. Two-tailed t-test analysis was performed (p < 0.05).

Results:

Results showed several post-stroke patients experienced anxiety and depression during their hospital stay. The experimental group showed positive absolute net change of pre- and post- AAT scores: GAD 7 -1.25 +/- 4.85 (p < 0.184); PHQ9 -1.43 +/- 5.43 (p < 0.175); SSqoL +2.74 +/- 7.56 (p < 0.071).

Conclusions:

Results demonstrate an overall trend towards improvement suggesting AAT can be offered as a resource to post-stroke patients for improving quality of life. AAT was received positively by patients; patients reported feeling more engaged in their physical rehabilitation regimen. Future studies can be done with larger sample sizes and for longer periods of follow up.