title: Effects of animal-assisted therapy on agitated behaviors and social interactions of older adults with dementia.
abstract: The effects of a therapeutic recreation intervention using animal-assisted therapy (AAT) on the agitated behaviors and social interactions of older adults with dementia were examined using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory and the Animal-Assisted Therapy Flow Sheet. In a pilot study, 15 nursing home residents with dementia participated in a daily AAT intervention for three weeks. Results showed statistically significant decreases in agitated behaviors and a statistically significant increase in social interaction pretest to post-test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, College of Nursing and Health Professions, University of Southern Maine, Portland, Maine, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Richeson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires