The impact of animal-assisted therapy in the context of pediatric oncology: Results of an experimental study

Abstract

IntroductionThe use of animals as a therapeutic resource has increased over the past years, especially for patients suffering from chronic conditions associated with high levels of distress, and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) stands out in this scenario.ObjectiveTo assess the impact of an AAT program for children outpatients in oncological treatment according to psychological, physiological, and quality of life indicators.MethodsChildren aged 6–12 years attended an AAT program (weekly open group with a duration of three meetings). The activities followed a pre-established script and children were assessed before and after the intervention with instruments that measure stress, pain, mood, and quality of life, in addition to heart rate and blood pressure records. Two trained therapy dogs were used and the program followed the “Guidelines for animal assisted interventions in health care facilities”.ResultsTen children completed the intervention (70% females, 50% with Ewing's sarcoma/neuroblastoma). There was a significant reduction in anxiety and depression indicators after the intervention (effect size = -0.73 e – 1.27) and a tendency to stress reduction.ConclusionDespite the small sample size, the partial analyses already provided favorable results regarding the use of AAT in the oncological context. We highlight the total absence of adverse events during the intervention, which speaks in favor of its safety. The expansion of the sample will probably strengthen the results found so far, suggesting that the technique can be an important ally in the management of emotional conditions associated with oncological treatment in childhood.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.