Table 3 Overview of included studies (all studies involve dogs except for one involving cats which is labelled)
Author (Year) | Study | Population | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
Studies with biological measures | |||
Kline (2020) [28] | Repeated biological measures Colouring mandala vs staff AAT vs no intervention | AAT: n = 43, mean age 31 years Colouring: n = 40, mean age 32 years Control: n = 39, mean age 33 years Staff: nurse, physician Setting: Emergency department, safety net hospital | -Apparent differential effects for subjective stress and cortisol -Cortisol lower at end of shift for AAT and colouring compared to control -Frequent disappointment expressed when assigned to colouring rather than AAT |
Machová (2019) [29] | Repeated biological measures Break with/without staff AAT and no break | n = 20 Staff: nurse Setting: Departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation, internal medicine and long-term care, military hospital | -Decrease in cortisol after AAT only but not for nurses in the physical medicine and rehabilitation departments |
Barker (2005) [30] | Repeated biological measures Breaks with/without staff- and patient therapy dog | n = 20, age (mean) 38.6 years Staff: nurse, physician, therapist Setting: Inpatient services, academic medical centre | -Cortisol decline appears equivalent for breaks of 20 min + dog, 5 min + dog, and 20 min-dog -No apparent changes in noradrenaline, adrenaline, lymphocyte proliferation, or salivary IgA |
Longitudinal studies with survey analyses (no biological measures) | |||
Gerson (2023) [31] | Survey Pre- vs post staff AAT | n = 149 Staff: Any hospital staff could participate Setting: Academic children’s hospital | -Feelings of reduced tiredness, discomfort, pain, negative emotions -Feelings of increased comfort, energy, positive emotions |
Etingen (2020) [32] | Surveys, semi-structured interviews Pre vs post staff AAI | Pre: n = 22 Post: n = 16 Staff: nurse, physician, assistant, ‘others’ Location: Clinic | -Majority liked AAI, improved mood, stimulating social interaction -No change in perception of burnout except for less exhaustion after interaction with patients |
Brown (2020) [33] | Survey, open-ended question Pre vs post AAA | Adult unit: n = unclear (16 or 20), mean age 33.7 years Adolescent unit: n = 8, mean age 41 years Setting: Psychiatric inpatient units, teaching hospital | -Reduced negative moods in adult unit, no change in adolescent unit |
Ginex (2018) [34] | Survey Pre vs post patient AAT | n = 41 Staff: nurse, carer, technical/assistant, ancillary Setting: Adult surgical oncology unit, hospital | -Lower stress, sense of happiness and hopefulness, pleasant distraction -No change in burnout, compassion |
Marcus (2012) [35] | Survey Pre vs post accompanying patient with AAT | AAT: n = 7, age (mean) 31.9 years No AAT: n = 22, age (mean) 39.8 years Staff: nurse, physician, assistant, admin, therapist, management Setting: chronic pain, university outpatient clinic | -Fatigue, stress, and positive affect improved in AAT -Positive comments: 100% of staff enjoyed dog visits -Improved calmness only with no AAT |
Cross-sectional survey analyses | |||
Jensen (2021) [36] | Survey Working with/without AAT | n = 130, age (mean) 37 years Staff: Paediatric healthcare professionals Setting: children’s hospital | -Higher perceived personal accomplishment, more positive job descriptions, lower intention to quit, positive emotions, better-perceived mental health, and less depression -No association with emotional exhaustion, perceptions about co-workers, workplace social support, or anxiety |
Moody (2002) [37] | Survey Expectation vs experience of patient AAT | Expectation: n = 115 Experience: n = 45 Staff: nurse, physician, technical, carer, admin Setting: Paediatric ward, children’s hospital | -Non-medical staff more positive than medical staff -Work environment rated higher by Experience vs Expectation -Program acceptance rated higher by Experience vs Expectation |
Cross-sectional surveys, descriptive | |||
Caton (2021) [38] | Survey Staff AAT | Setting: Emergency department, intensive care, burns, trauma, and high acuity units, hospital | -High agreement of positive interactions, stress reduction, increased morale, support for continuation, feeling cared for by organization, and improved unit environment |
Pruskowski (2020) [39] | Survey Patient AAT | n = 23 Staff: Rehabilitation staff Setting: Burn centre, military hospital | -Most reported improved mood, would like to see or work dogs again, several commented that therapy dogs were great stress relievers, no negative comments |
Machová (2020) [40] | Survey Patient AAI | n = 36, age (mean) 44.6 years Staff: healthcare and social workers Setting: Nursing or retirement home, household hospice | -Overwhelmingly positive perception of AAI from staff regarding stress, fears, bringing pleasure |
Wagner (2019) [27] | Interviews Cats living on the ward | n = 17, mean age 40.6 years Setting: Acute psychiatric wards, university psychiatric clinic | -All staff had positive feelings about the cat, most reported positive impact on work satisfaction and emotional well-being |
Uglow (2019) [41] | Survey Patient AAI | n = 82 Staff: nurse, physician, therapist, admin, radiographer, technical, ‘others’ Setting: Surgical, medical, high dependency, intensive care, and day wards, university children’s hospital | -None of the staff had any concerns regarding the program, no reports of disruption -100% considered the AAI program as very worthwhile |
Rothschild (2019) [42] | Survey, interview, focus group Communal pet living on site | n = 12 Staff: nurse, psychologic, social Setting: Community care unit for mentally ill | -Helpful to recovery, dog provides relaxing and peaceful atmosphere and has a calming effect, motivates to do more exercise -Some concerns that staff/residents may have fears |
Fodstad (2019) [43] | Survey Patient AAA | n = 33 Staff: nurse, physician, technical, therapist Setting: Paediatric behavioural health unit, children’s hospital, academic medical centre | -Majority report positive effect on themselves and their work, including stress relief |
Abrahamson (2016) [44] | Pilot interviews about AAI dogs in reception, waiting rooms, emergency department, and surgical units | n = 9 Staff: nurse, technical/assistant, volunteer Setting: Medical and surgical community hospital | -Most excited to meet dog, made effort, all sought physical contact, felt more relaxed, happy, less stressed -One respondent had concerns regarding infections and would prefer limited access of dog to certain areas |
Bibbo (2013) [45] | Survey Patient AAA | n = 34 Setting: Regional outpatient cancer centre | -Perceptions to AAA were mostly positive |
Caprilli (2006) [46] | Survey Patient AAA | n = 52 Staff: nurse, physician, assistant Setting; Paediatric ward, children’s hospital | -54% think animal program can benefit them -16% afraid of dog bites or disease transmission |