A Multicenter Study of Animal-Assisted Activity and Anxiety Among Older Adults Hospitalized in Acute Care Settings

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Hospitalizations in the older adult population are increasing. This can be a very stressful and anxiety provoking time for the older adult. Physiological changes in the older adult make anti-anxiety medication difficult because side effects may impact mobility and /or perception. <h3>Purpose of the Study</h3> The study was to determine if an animal-assisted activity (AAA) visit from a registered human-animal team would reduce perceived anxiety for older hospitalized adults. <h3>Methodology</h3> A multicenter, interventional, comparative, pre-post design was used. The short form Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was used. The Spielberger short form measures perceived anxiety. The study was conducted in eight medical centers in one north-eastern state in the United States. The final sample size was 140. The median age was 75. 69 Males and 71 females participated in the study. <h3>Results</h3> The pre visit median anxiety score was 14. The post median anxiety score was 10. The median difference was -3; this difference was statistically significant (Wilcoxon Statistic=705.5, p<0.001). <h3>Conclusion</h3> AAA significantly decreased anxiety in older adults with mild anxiety during inpatient hospitalization. This non-pharmacological intervention can be considered as an alternative intervention for anxiety in this population. <h3>Implications for perianesthesia nurses and future research</h3> In the future, research can explore if using the AAA team can reduce patient's pre-operative anxiety.