Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) with a standard treatment protocol in children and adolescents admitted to the psychiatry hospital for acute mental disorders. We used a methodology involving high quality standards for AAT research. Design: A pre-post experimental design with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in 34 hospitalized patients (17 treatment, 17 control) was carried out. Main outcome measures: The study focused on improvement in clinical status including, global func- tioning measured by the Children Global Assessment Scale (C GAS), format of care and ordinary school attendance measured by a rating scale. Results: Our results indicate a statistically significant improvement in global functioning, reduction in format of care and increased ordinary school attendance in the treatment group, but not in the control group. Conclusions: Our results verify that AAT can have significant positive effects on therapeutic progress and the recovery process.

The use of Animal-Assisted Therapy with adolescents in acute mental disorders: A randomized control study / Stefanini, M.C.; Martino, A.; Allori, P.; Galeotti, F.;Tani, F.. - In: COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE. - ISSN 1744-3881. - STAMPA. - 21:(2015), pp. 42-46. [10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.01.001]

The use of Animal-Assisted Therapy with adolescents in acute mental disorders: A randomized control study

STEFANINI, MARIA CRISTINA;ALLORI, PAOLA;TANI, FRANCA
2015

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) with a standard treatment protocol in children and adolescents admitted to the psychiatry hospital for acute mental disorders. We used a methodology involving high quality standards for AAT research. Design: A pre-post experimental design with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in 34 hospitalized patients (17 treatment, 17 control) was carried out. Main outcome measures: The study focused on improvement in clinical status including, global func- tioning measured by the Children Global Assessment Scale (C GAS), format of care and ordinary school attendance measured by a rating scale. Results: Our results indicate a statistically significant improvement in global functioning, reduction in format of care and increased ordinary school attendance in the treatment group, but not in the control group. Conclusions: Our results verify that AAT can have significant positive effects on therapeutic progress and the recovery process.
2015
21
42
46
Stefanini, M.C.; Martino, A.; Allori, P.; Galeotti, F.;Tani, F.
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Utilizza questo identificatore per citare o creare un link a questa risorsa: https://hdl.handle.net/2158/1040530
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