Abstract
(1) Background: Currently, the scientific evidence on the benefits of assisted therapy with dogs in dementia is not clear. In this study, we want to evaluate such benefits through a randomized controlled clinical trial in multiple centers across the country. (2) Methods: The participants were people over 65 years old with dementia, residing in senior centers in Spain (n = 334). The experimental group underwent assisted therapy with dogs based on the Comprehensive Cognitive Activation Program in Dementia, for 8 months, with weekly sessions of 45 min. Data were collected at the commencement, middle, and end of the program, to evaluate the aspects using the Mini-Examination Cognitive, the modified Bartell Index, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. (3) Results: The results show significant improvements in the experimental group versus the control group in the affective (T1 = p 0.000; T2 = p 0.000) and behavioral (T1 = p 0.005; T2 = p 0.000) aspects, with the affective aspect displaying greater progress in participants with additional depressive (p = 0.022) or anxiety (p = 0.000) disorders, shorter institutionalization periods (r = −0.222, p = 0.004), and those undergoing complementary psychotherapy (p = 0.033) or alternative therapy (p = 0.011). (4) Conclusions: Dog therapy is effective in improving the affective and behavioral aspects of institutionalized patients with dementia.
Highlights
The World Health Organization estimates that 47.5 million people worldwide suffer from dementia; this number is expected to increase year-by-year, with the principal cause being institutionalization of the elderly [1]
The progress of an neurocognitive disorder (NCD) can be accompanied by the appearance of psychological symptoms and behavioral symptoms, which cause suffering to the patient and the persons close to them [3,4]
There are various drugs indicated for dementia and others to treat psychological and behavioral symptoms associated with dementia, all of which have side effects [5]
Summary
The World Health Organization estimates that 47.5 million people worldwide suffer from dementia; this number is expected to increase year-by-year, with the principal cause being institutionalization of the elderly [1]. The progress of an NCD can be accompanied by the appearance of psychological symptoms (hallucinations, delirium, depression, apathy or anxiety) and behavioral symptoms (agitation, inappropriate behaviors, wandering or resistance to care), which cause suffering to the patient and the persons close to them [3,4]. Potentially beneficial nonpharmacological methods are increasingly sought. This is the case of dog-assisted therapies (DAT), which are discussed here.
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